Bernd Leno survives from suspension after altercation with ball boy during Premier League match

During a Premier League game between Fulham and Bournemouth, the Cottagers's goalkeeper Bernd Leno had a nasty confrontation with a ballboy and he might have got away unpunished by the Football Association. The incident occurred in the second half of Fulham's 3-0 Boxing Day loss to Bournemouth, Leno pushed a ballboy after he had recovered the ball before a goal kick. Tim Robinson, the referee, did not penalise the Germany international despite booking him earlier in the match.

Following the game, Marco Silva expressed his belief that Leno will not face any FA disciplinary action. During the play, shortly after the incident, Leno apologised to the ballboy and gave him a hug and high five. The action was not felt improper as the referee felt it was inappropriate to penalize the goalkeeper. 

The ballboys were told to step down from their duties for the rest of the game by the referees in an attempt to reduce the altercation. To the displeasure of the Fulham manager, the Premier League subsequently acknowledged that the multi-ball system was removed in the 79th minute of the game.

I didn’t see him pushing: Marco Silva

Silva said, "I didn’t see him pushing. He touched the ball boy, not pushed the ball boy. They are different things. I am not English but I know the difference between one word and the other. To the fourth official, it is so clear that the ball boys were delaying the game. At the moment it was already 2-0 but the rules are there. We wanted to play quick like Bournemouth before they had the chance to play quick."

"After they started leading, the ball boys did their job probably with instructions to delay the game and what the referee did at the moment was say we will finish the muti-ball to stop that situation. They were always delaying to avoid some problems. The referee took that decision."

The Bournemouth head coach said, "There is no instruction, I can guarantee. I think everyone has to be careful because they are boys that are trying to help everyone."