Spurs star banned over coronavirus joke on social media

Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli has been given a one-match ban by the Football Association after joking about the coronavirus in a social media video and will miss his side’s first Premier League match after the restart.In the weeks before the virus took hold across the world, Alli posted a Snapchat clip in which he made fun of an Asian man in an airport departure lounge in February.

The England international was shown wearing a face mask and the video had the title: “Corona whattt, please listen with volume”.

The video cut to an unsuspecting man of Asian appearance before panning to a bottle of antiseptic hand wash, underneath which appeared the caption: “This virus gunna have to be quicker than that to catch me”.

Alli later deleted the post and posted an apology to the Chinese social media network Weibo.

The one-game suspension means Alli will miss Tottenham’s game at home to Manchester United on June 19, their first of the resumed season.

Alli has also received a Sh6.3 million ($63,000) fine and will have to attend an educational course.

“Dele Alli has been suspended for one match with immediate effect, fined £50,000 and must undertake a face-to-face education course,” an FA statement read.

After the FA issued the ban, Alli again expressed regret for his action.

“In response to the FA decision, I would like to apologise again for any offence caused by my behaviour,” he said.

“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.”

Alli’s suspension continues a troubling period for the 24-year-old after knife-carrying burglars broke into his house recently.

Following an altercation with Alli, who was shaken but not seriously hurt, the men made off with jewellery.

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