THE father who mistakenly claimed a Cherries fan snatched from his 12 year old son a top player’s shirt after it had been handed to the boy after a game against Saints last Sunday has withdrawn the accusation.

Rob Fellows say he now accepts that he was wrong and has apologised after making the claim on social media.

The Echo also published the claims earlier this week and we apologise to the man in the crowd – who was not identified in the Echo’s story - for repeating the mistake.

The shirt had not been handed to young Lewis Fellows by AFC Bournemouth star Adam Smith, as suggested, but thrown into the crowd.

It was caught fairly by the unnamed fan.

It was not stolen or snatched from Lewis , nor was there any tussle between the boy and the fan.

AFC Bournemouth had offered to give Lewis another shirt and a chance to meet the team.

But Mr Fellows says he has declined the invitation because he feels it is not right to accept it in the circumstances.