Dele Alli Handed One-Game Ban & Fined for Coronavirus Video Posted in February

Dele Alli has been fined and banned for one game for a video he posted back in February on social media regarding the coronavirus outbreak.

The England international was charged before lockdown measures were imposed and before the Premier League's suspension for the video, which appeared to mock an Asian man in an airport. The clip was posted to the player's Snapchat story which was accessible to some 160 'friends and colleagues', according to the FA's report.

The video was also sent to a WhatsApp group containing 'very close friends'.

Alli must also compete an education course as part of the ruling.

The FA's statement reads: "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 quickly deleted the video and posted an apology on a Chinese social media platform. That apology, as well as a lack of 'similar misconduct matters in his disciplinary history' and the wait for a result due to the coronavirus outbreak, has seen the forward banned for a game and fined.

The suspension means Alli will miss Tottenham's game against Manchester United next week.

In response to the outcome, Alli said as quoted by Tottenham's website: "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 intentionally 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."

Source : 90min