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Bernd Leno appeared to push a ball boy during his team’s 3-0 loss to AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday.
Marco Silva’s team was already down 2-0 when the former Arsenal goalkeeper ran over to the ball boy in an attempt to restart the game.
Bernd Leno appeared to push the ball boy with his left hand after retrieving the ball before taking his goal kick.
Leno later apologized to the ball boy, who sat in the stands at the Vitality Stadium for the rest of the game.
Prior to the incident, the Fulham No. 1 had already been booked for delaying Bournemouth’s second-half penalty, which was converted by Dominic Solanke.
Fulham’s afternoon would get even worse as Luis Sinisterra scored in stoppage time for the hosts, securing three points for Andoni Iraola’s in-form Cherries.
Following the game, the former Arsenal star was widely condemned on social media for his actions, with fans calling his behavior ‘disgusting’.
One fan wrote, “What a * Leno is.” Imagine being a giant grown man and pushing a young ball boy. ‘Horrible f*** a*!’
‘Imagine pushing this kid!’ said another. Bernd Leno is a complete disgrace! What a scumbag. That’s just not possible for such a young ball boy.’
Another fan wrote, ‘I’m even a Leno fan…’But what the hell are you talking about, man? This is not a reaction to your own failed efforts to thwart the very thwartable first goal.’
After the game, Fulham manager Marco Silva defended Leno, calling him a ‘top professional’ and confirming he had apologized to the ball boy.
‘The ball boys were always delaying, and Bernd wanted to play quickly, so he took the ball from the ball boy,’ Silva explained to the BBC.
‘He didn’t push him hard enough, and he apologized. He’s a consummate professional.’
Others compared the incident to then-Chelsea star Eden Hazard kicking a ball boy during a January 2013 EFL Cup semi-final match between the Blues and eventual winners Swansea.
‘No booking..’ wrote one. I remember Hazard getting sent off for kicking a ball boy; these decisions are so inconsistent.’
Hazard was shown a straight red card by referee Chris Foy for the incident, and the Blues went on to lose 2-0 at Liberty Stadium.
The Belgian forward later apologized to the ball boy in the Chelsea dressing room, insisting that he was only attempting to retrieve the ball.
