Bosnian Ball Boy Hailed as Hero for Protecting Penalty Shootout Notes

Bosnia Ball Boy’s Actions Spark Controversy in World Cup Qualifying Match

A 14-year-old ball boy, Afan Cizmic, has become a focal point in Bosnia’s historic World Cup qualifying win over Italy on March 31. During the UEFA playoff final at Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica, Cizmic was among dozens of ball boys deployed for the match. In the penalty shootout that ultimately decided the outcome, Cizmic took away Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma’s notes just before the spot kicks were taken.

According to eyewitnesses, Cizmic noticed Donnarumma reading from a piece of paper tucked behind a towel and removed it, running away from the goal. The note contained information on Bosnian penalty takers, which may have influenced the outcome of the shootout. Donnarumma failed to save any of the four penalties he faced, while his teammates missed three of theirs.

Cizmic has since been hailed as a hero in Bosnia and has appeared on various media outlets, including football shows and interviews with international journalists. He has also been photographed at the venue where the historic win took place. Cizmic’s actions have sparked debate on social media, with some praising his decision to take the note while others criticized him for interfering with the game.

In an interview with Turkish news agency Anadolu, Cizmic explained that he initially hesitated but ultimately decided to act on his instinct. He stated that Donnarumma’s frustration after losing the note confirmed his belief that his actions had an impact on the game. Cizmic has also announced plans to auction the note, with all proceeds going to charity.

Cizmic is a youth footballer with local club Celik Zenica and dreams of wearing the Bosnian national team jersey one day. His father, Emir Cizmic, expressed pride in his son’s actions, emphasizing that ball boys can significantly affect the rhythm and outcome of matches.

Source: Al Jazeera