Tottenham head coach Jose Mourinho has said he has spoken to Dele Alli after the midfielder was accused of racism following a social media post about the coronavirus, describing it as an 'easy conversation'.
Alli could be charged by the FA after a video of him sat in an airport departure lounge, in which he appeared to mock an Asian man claiming he was possibly infected with coronavirus, went viral. The FA has wrote to Alli and have requested his observations.
Speaking ahead of Tottenham's match against Aston Villa, Mourinho said, quoted by the Guardian: "
"But for me it was a quite easy conversation, because he was very sorry about that thing. A mistake. It was never his intention to hurt, it was never his intention to offend. He immediately regretted and realised it was a young guy mistake, a young generation mistake.
"It was not a case of me being unhappy and him not understanding why I was unhappy. He regrets and that’s the best he can show. And I think to apologise is remarkable."
Alli uploaded the video to his Snapchat before removing it soon after. He then posted a video to Chinese social networking site Weibo, where he apologised and admitted to his humour being misguided.
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In similar circumstances, Manchester City
"I’m his manager. his friend," he added. "I have to act as an educator and the best way to do it is immediately his reaction. Regret and apologise. So, game over."
Source : 90min