Dele Alli, the Tottenham and England football star, has received a one-game ban from the Football Association due to a controversial social media post mocking the Coronavirus outbreak and an Asian man.
In February, the 23-year-old midfielder shared a video on Snapchat where he seemingly filmed a man of Asian descent, accompanied by the caption ‘Corona whatttttt, please listen with volume.’
The Snapchat story also included a bottle of handwash with the caption: ‘This virus gunna have to be quicker than that to catch me og.’
Following an investigation, he has been suspended for one match, fined £50,000, and instructed to undertake an education course by disciplinary chiefs for breaching FA Rule E3.
An FA statement explained: “Dele Alli has been suspended for one match with immediate effect, fined £50,000 and must undertake an education course following a breach of FA Rule E3.
“The Tottenham Hotspur FC player denied that a social media post breached FA Rule E3(1), as it was insulting and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute, and constituted an ‘Aggravated Breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3(2), as it included a reference, whether express or implied, to race and/or colour and/or ethnic origin and/or nationality.
“However, it was subsequently found proven by an independent Regulatory Commission.”
Alli acknowledged that his video “may have the potential to cause upset” and admitted that it was “an insensitive video to share at a time when many others are suffering.”
He apologized, stating: “In response to the FA decision, I would like to apologise again for any offence caused by my behaviour.
“It was an extremely poorly judged joke about a virus that has now affected us more than we could ever have imagined.
“I’m grateful that The FA has confirmed that my actions were not racist because I despise racism of any kind.
“We all need to be mindful of the words and actions we use and how they can be perceived by others.” Tottenham star, Dele Alli to miss Manchester United clash through suspension over the ‘racist’ video he posted mocking an Asian man over spreading COVID-19