Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has this evening opened up on the conversation between he and Dele Alli, on the back of the latter’s headline-grabbing recent social media activity.
Alli’s questionable post
In a story which took centre stage online last weekend, English international Alli took to SnapChat to film a clip of himself.
In the footage, the 23-year-old can be seen in an airport departure lounge, wearing a facemask.
Accompanied by the caption ‘Corona whatttttt, please listen with volume,’ Alli then pans the camera towards a man of Asian appearance, alluding to the deadly Coronavirus which has claimed the lives of almost 1400 people in China over recent weeks.
After this, the focus returns to a bottle of antiseptic handwash, along with another caption of ‘This virus gunna have to be quicker than that to catch me.’
The post, which was reportedly visible to friends of the Spurs man on SnapChat, had since made its way onto social media, and had led to an inevitable backlash, despite quickly being deleted.
‘Let myself down’
Alli has since been forced to issue a public apology for his actions, in a clip posted to Chinese social media platform Weibo earlier this week:
‘I’d like to apologise for the video I posted on snap chat yesterday.’
‘It wasn’t funny. I realised that immediately and took it down. I let myself down and the club. I don’t want you guys to have that impression of me.’
‘It isn’t something that should be joked about. Sending all my love and thoughts and prayers for everyone in China.’
Mou speaks out
And, as outlined above, Jose Mourinho has today for the first time opened up on the topic of Alli’s recent behaviour.
Speaking in a press conference this evening, the Spurs boss first confirmed that he has already held a conversation with his midfield star:
‘Of course I spoke with him about that. But for me it was quite an easy conversation because he was very sorry about, let’s say, the mistake.’
Mourinho then went on to laud the ‘humility’ displayed by Alli in his apology:
‘But it was never his intention to hurt, it was not his intention to offend. He immediately regretted it, he immediately recognised.’
‘For me that’s the best feeling that he can show, and to have to have the humility to apologise is remarkable, because sometimes young people make mistakes and they don’t realise they make the mistakes.’
Quotes via Sky Sports
Aston Villa vs Tottenham betting tips: Premier League match preview & predictions
Southampton vs Burnley betting tips: Premier League match preview and predictions
Norwich City vs Liverpool betting tips: Premier League preview & predictions
Wolves vs Leicester City betting tips: Premier League match preview & predictions
