AFC Bournemouth defender Alex Jiménez is under investigation over claims he sent inappropriate posts to a 15-year-old schoolgirl.
The 21-year-old allegedly sent a string of messages to the pupil.
But the club confirmed has launched a probe into Jiménez, who signed a five-and-half-year deal with The Cherries in February, and has dropped him from their crunch Premier League match with Fulham on Saturday.
The statement said: ‘AFC Bournemouth are aware of posts circulating on social media involving right-back, Alex Jimenez.
‘The club understands the seriousness of the matter, and it is currently being investigated.
‘As a result, Alex will not be included in the squad for tomorrow’s Premier League game against Fulham and the club will be making no further comment at this time.’
The Spain Under-21 international started his career at Real Madrid Castilla, the Spanish giants’ reserve team, before moving to Milan.
He joined the Premier League club on an initial one-year loan deal with an obligation to buy at the end of the season.