FULHAM boss Marco Silva insists his goalkeeper Bernd Leno did not “push” a ball boy at Vitality Stadium.

During the second half of the Premier League contest, with Cherries 2-0 up, a boy positioned behind the goal in the North Stand handed the ball back to Leno.

After retrieving it, the former Arsenal man then put his hand to the chest of the ball boy, leading to verbal abuse from the fans and some Cherries players.

The supporters in the North Stand then loudly booed Leno whenever he got the ball in the following minutes, before referee Tim Robinson stopped the contest.

He went to the fourth official, where a steward was told to have all ball boys and girls removed from their position around the pitch for the closing stages.

During that stoppage in play, Leno went up to the boy and apologised.

Cherries went on to win the match 3-0.

Asked for his take on Leno pushing a ball boy, Silva replied: “Pushing? Have you seen him pushing?

“He apologised. I spoke with Bernd about it, because I expected your question.

“It is clear that he went to speak with the boy after that moment, as the top professional that he is. A really experienced player that he is as well.

“He wanted to play quick.

“I don’t know who gave the instructions for them to always hold the ball, but the ball boys were always delaying the beginning of the game again.

“We were losing, he ran to the ball. I didn’t see him pushing. He touched the ball boy, he did not push the ball boy. They are different things – when you touch the ball boy or push the ball boy. I’m not English, but I know the difference between one word and the other.

“We have to say the truth in that moment.”

Asked about the youngsters being removed from around the pitch, Silva added: “Yes, because the fourth official was so clear the ball boys were delaying the game.

“At that moment, the game was already 2-0.

“But the rules are there and should be with the ball boys. We wanted to play the game quick, but Bournemouth, they had the chance to play the game quick before, then they started leading, so the ball boys did their job, probably with instructions to delay the game.

“At that moment, the referee finished the multi-ball, to stop that situation of always delaying, to avoid some problems that can happen if you want to play quick.”

Asked if that happened as a result of Silva raising a complaint with the officials, the Cottagers boss said: “I was so upset with our performance I didn’t even have the energy to start to complain.”

Silva went on to say he was confident Germany international Leno would not face any punishment for the action.

Discussing the incident, Cherries head coach Andoni Iraola, who was watching the game from the stands as he served a touchline ban, said: “I don’t want to make any big statement, because I haven’t seen it repeated.

“It looked like he pushed, but I don’t know exactly what happened. I think for sure everyone has to be careful, because they are boys that are trying to help everyone, not only Bournemouth, but all parties involved.”

Asked if the ball boys had been told to slow down the game, Iraola insisted: “No, for sure there is no instruction, I can guarantee.”