Dele Alli has been banned for one match and fined a total of £50,000 over his controversial coronavirus post in February.
The Tottenham midfielder has also been ordered to undertake a face-to-face education course for joking about the outbreak and appeared to mock an Asian man.
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An FA statement declared: “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.”
The video was recorded in the departure lounge at Heathrow Airport while he and three friends waited to catch a flight to Dubai during the winter break.
In the video posted by Alli – which was captioned “this virus gunna have to be quicker than that to catch me” – he wore a face mask in an airport lounge, before moving the camera to show a man of Asian appearance, and then zoomed in on a bottle of antiseptic hand wash.
In evidence, Alli claimed he had attempted to catch the man in the act of coughing, which is why he told those viewing the video to turn the volume up.
No cough could be heard but the panel accepted his explanation that he was intending to make a joke and that there was no racial motive behind selecting an Asian man to film.
فيديو ديـلي ألي ?!
Dele Alli Racist Video ?! pic.twitter.com/isNwO2MUV7
— عـالم توتنهام (@SpursMENA) February 9, 2020
In bringing the charges, the Football Association stressed they did not claim Alli was racist, a position accepted by the hearing which also ruled the post – which was limited to an audience of just 160 friends – was “more the product of spontaneous ill-judged stupidity rather than any sense of malicious intent”.
The Premier League player removed the video within minutes and subsequently apologised for what he had done.
After removing the video Alli said in his apology: “It wasn’t funny and I realised that immediately and took it down. I let myself down and the club.
“It isn’t something that should be joked about. I’m sending all my love and all my thoughts and prayers to everyone in China.”
After finding out his punishment this week, he said: “Would like to apologise again for any offence caused. Was an extremely poorly judged joke about a virus that has now affected us more than we could ever have imagined. Grateful FA confirmed my actions were not racist (as) I despise racism of any kind.”
Just last month, Alli was held at knifepoint and punched by robbers who broke into his house during the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The Premier League midfielder reportedly suffered a blow in the face during the ordeal but did not suffer any serious injuries.
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Two males broke into the back of his home in north London around midnight on Wednesday morning before threatening the player – who has been isolating with his brother, their two partners and a long-term friend.
Following a fight, which saw Alli suffer a minor facial injury, the two robbers took various items including jewellery and watches before fleeing away.
Daily Mail reported how Alli and the other victims who were situated downstairs had been shaken by the break-in.
His property is covered by CCTV and the footage was passed on to the police, who opened an investigation.
Fans took to reply their thoughts after discovering Dele Alli has been banned for one match and fined over his coronavirus post…
So by that reckoning, Jack Grealish will be looking at a 6 month ban then.
— Utd since 76. ??????? (@Utd_76) June 11, 2020
That’s grealish and Kyle walker banned for atleast 10 games then: good to know ??
— GeorgeWilliamBrooks (@GeorgeeeBrooks) June 11, 2020
Dele Alli misses United game with suspension! That’s just made our job harder. They’re better without him
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) June 11, 2020
I dread to think how long the FA will ban Kyle Walker for after bringing in prostitutes twice during Lockdown!
— Nigel Fleming (@NFleming75) June 11, 2020
Its time pic.twitter.com/RKvxUFIzhN
— Joe (@JoeGTHFC) June 11, 2020
Been missing most of the season
— ⚒IronHammer⚒ (@ClaretnBlueLife) June 11, 2020
What a tool
— Avo (@Avolfc) June 11, 2020
Haha haha. The guys a dick, well deserved.
— Shaft (@_CtrlCam) June 11, 2020
— daz (@oggyoram) June 11, 2020
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