Bournemouth has confirmed that defender Alex Híjnez will not be part of the squad for their Premier League match against Fulham. The decision comes after screenshots of direct messages allegedly sent from the player's official Instagram account began circulating widely on social media.
The leaked messages, whose authenticity has not been independently verified, appear to show Híjnez attempting to contact an individual who identified themselves as being under 18 years of age. The content of the messages has sparked significant concern among fans and observers.
In an official statement, the club acknowledged the situation and outlined its immediate response. "We are aware of the social media posts concerning our right-back Alex Híjnez. The club understands the seriousness of the matter and is currently conducting an investigation," the statement read.
The club further confirmed that as a result of the ongoing inquiry, Híjnez would not be traveling with the team for the upcoming fixture. Bournemouth also stated it would not be making any additional comments at this time, indicating the investigation is still in its early stages.
The 21-year-old Spanish defender has been a key player for Bournemouth this season. He joined the club on loan from AC Milan last summer, with a permanent transfer already agreed upon for the end of the current campaign. Híjnez has made 31 Premier League appearances this term, establishing himself as a regular starter.
His absence comes at a critical juncture for the club. Bournemouth is currently in sixth place in the Premier League table with 52 points from 35 matches, putting them in contention for European qualification. Losing a first-team regular due to off-field issues presents an unwelcome distraction during the final stretch of the season.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges clubs face regarding player conduct on social media platforms. As the investigation continues, the focus will remain on the club's findings and any subsequent actions taken regarding the player's future with the team.
Based on reporting from サッカーキング.
