Bournemouth have confirmed that defender Álex Jiménez will not be part of the squad for their Premier League fixture against Fulham on Saturday. The decision comes as the club has launched an official investigation into social media posts involving the player.
The investigation centers on alleged online exchanges between Jiménez and an individual who claims to be a 15-year-old girl. The club acknowledged the gravity of the situation in a statement released on Friday, emphasizing that the matter is being taken seriously and is currently under review.
In their official communication, AFC Bournemouth stated they are aware of the posts circulating on social media involving their right-back. The club confirmed that due to the ongoing investigation, Jiménez would be excluded from the matchday squad for the trip to Craven Cottage. They added that no further comment would be made at this time.
Head coach Andoni Iraola addressed the media during his pre-match press conference, noting that the club must conduct its investigations to determine what has occurred. He expressed hope that the situation is not as serious as it appears, stating the team will proceed based on the findings.
Jiménez, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Friday, has been a regular feature for Bournemouth this season. The Spanish defender has made 32 appearances for the Cherries and had started their last five Premier League matches prior to this omission.
The player joined Bournemouth permanently from AC Milan in February for a reported fee of £17 million, signing a contract that runs for five and a half years. Before his move to Italy in 2024, Jiménez spent a decade developing within the Real Madrid academy system.
Representatives for Álex Jiménez have been approached for comment regarding the allegations and the club's investigation. Based on reporting from Football | The Guardian.
