EUROPE chasing Bournemouth take on Fulham in a crucial Premier League clash this afternoon – and they make the trip to London without full-back Alex Jimenez.
Ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures, the Cherries sit in sixth spot, just three games away from potentially qualifying for European football for the first time in the club’s history.
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Alex Jimenez has been dropped from today’s squad Credit: Getty
Bournemouth have released a statement on the incident Credit: Alamy
But the next six teams are no more than five points behind them so Andoni Iraola’s men cannot afford to take their eye off the ball for a second.
Particularly as one of those teams is today’s opponents, 11th-placed Fulham, who could close the gap on the Cherries to just a point, highlighting how tight the table currently is.
However, the build-up to the match has been overshadowed by very serious matters off the pitch.
Why is Alex Jimenez not playing for Bournemouth?
Bournemouth have dropped Alex Jimenez from today’s match after launching a probe into alleged messages sent to a schoolgirl.
Read more on Alex Jimenez
PREM PROBE
Jimenez dropped by Bournemouth as club probes ‘messages to 15-year-old girl’
The club released a statement confirming it “understands the seriousness of the matter” after apparent images of the exchange began circulating on social media on Thursday night.
Screenshots shared on social media allegedly show the Spain U21 international talking to a girl under 18, before sending a photo of himself from his car with a suggestive caption.
Bournemouth’s statement on Alex Jimenez
The Cherries said in a statement: “AFC Bournemouth are aware of posts circulating on social media involving right-back, Alex Jimenez.
“The club understand the seriousness of the matter and it is currently being investigated.
“As a result, Alex will not be included in the squad for tomorrow’s Premier League game against Fulham and the club will be making no further comment at this time.”
In his pre-match press conference, Bournemouth’s head coach Andoni Iraola said. “The club has to do their investigations and see what has really happened.
“We will then move from there. I hope it’s not what we think.”
