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Ball boy hit in face during Greece v Italy

Italy's midfielder Nicolo Barella (R) vies for the ball with Greece's midfielder Konstantinos Fortounis during the Euro 2020 football qualification match between Greece and Italy at the Olympic Stadium in Athens on June 8, 2019. (Photo by LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP)        (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images)
Italy's Nicolo Barella vies for the ball with Greece's Konstantinos Fortounis. (Credit: AFP)

Footballing ball boys. Just when you thought they were getting out of the headlines - we’re looking at you, Swansea - they find a new way to steal the limelight.

Ok, ok. We’re being a bit harsh this time.

The victim of this clip seems fairly innocent - standing behind the Greece goal as Italy burst forward in search of a goal.

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As Arsenal star Sokratis Papastathopoulos shepherded Nicolo Barella out of play, it all seemed fairly innocuous.

Only Barella, presumably frustrated as Italy had still not managed a goal past the man-mountain Sokratis, decided to leather the ball as it bounced back off the advertising boards.

And yes, it smacked a child in the face and knocked him over.

The 22-year-old forward was immediately regretful, though we are not yet convinced the child has forgiven him.

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