Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 7y

Bayer Leverkusen warn Leon Bailey after confrontation with boxer

Bayer Leverkusen have warned Leon Bailey about his conduct after the former Genk player had a confrontation with a boxer.

Bailey missed the weekend's match against Wolfsburg with a cold and went to Genk, where he filmed a man inside a gym and mocked him on Snapchat.

The man, who turned out to be a boxer, later confronted the 19-year-old in Genk city centre and broadcast the encounter live on Facebook.

No physical harm was done but the confrontation made headlines in Belgium and Germany, and on Tuesday Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller said: "We will talk to him.

"A lot could have happened, and it should be a shot across the bows for Leon.

"But you should not overdramatise it. He made a mistake and will learn from it. There couldn't be a bigger punishment than the video."

Bailey joined Leverkusen from Genk in January but has since been limited to four late substitute appearances, playing a total of 42 minutes.

Meanwhile, Mexico international Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez has been ruled out of Leverkusen's match at bottom club Darmstadt on Wednesday.

Hernandez, 28, has struggled with thigh problems, and missed the draw with Wolfsburg on Sunday.

Leverkusen are currently 12th in the Bundesliga, only three points ahead of Augsburg, who are in the relegation playoff place.

But interim coach Tayfun Korkut told his prematch news conference: "As long as we still see can see the light at the top, we will not stare into the darkness." 

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