Ball Boy's Stolen Cheat Sheet Headed for Charity Auction
A Bosnian ball boy has admitted to taking the penalty shootout 'cheat sheet' of Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma during a crucial World Cup qualifier in 2026, an incident that has now taken a new twist as the note is set to be auctioned for charity. The item, which will be sold to the highest bidder, is the same note the 14-year-old ball boy, Afan Čizmić, took from the pitch-side during the high-stakes match.
The incident occurred during the penalty shootout between Italy and Bosnia-Herzegovina in a crucial World Cup qualifying playoff in Zenica. Donnarumma, the Italian goalkeeper, had prepared detailed notes on the penalty-taking habits of the Bosnian players on a small piece of paper, which he kept by a towel at his goalpost. With the shootout tied and the pressure mounting, the ball boy, Čizmić, saw his opportunity and took the note.
In an interview with Bosnian broadcaster FACE TV, Čizmić confirmed his actions. He stated, "I saw something by the towel and knew what it was. I took it and hid it. Inside was all the information." The 14-year-old has since become a minor celebrity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, even being invited by the broadcaster to follow the national team. Donnarumma, who did not make a single save in the shootout, was seen searching for the note in frustration after noticing it was missing. Italy ultimately lost the shootout 5-4, failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The note, which Čizmić has proudly displayed in several interviews, is now slated for a public auction. The young Bosnian has pledged that the proceeds will be donated to charity. "We have decided to donate the proceeds to charity," Čizmić confirmed in his interview. The upcoming auction has drawn significant attention, turning a moment of on-field gamesmanship into a unique piece of football memorabilia with a philanthropic twist. The incident, while a footnote in the broader context of Italy's failure to qualify, has become a legendary anecdote in international football, illustrating the fine margins and psychological battles that define penalty shootouts at the highest level.
