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‘I let myself down and the club’ – Dele Alli apologises for mocking coronavirus

Tottenhams Dele Alli during the FA Cup match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London on Wednesday 5th February 2020. (Photo by Leila Coker/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Tottenham's Dele Alli. (Photo by Leila Coker/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Dele Alli has apologised for posting a video on Snapchat in which he joked about the coronavirus outbreak and appeared to mock an Asian man.

The England and Tottenham midfielder quickly deleted his video on Saturday, and on Sunday expressed his remorse via a video on Chinese social media platform Weibo.

Alli admitted he had let himself and Spurs down, in a contrite statement.

“Hi guys, it’s Dele; I just wanted to apologise on my behalf for the video I posted on Snapchat yesterday,” the 23-year-old said.

Dele Alli apologised via Chinese social media platform Weibo (PA)
Dele Alli apologised via Chinese social media platform Weibo (PA)

“It wasn’t funny and I realised that immediately and took it down. I let myself down and the club.

“I don’t want you to have that impression of me because it wasn’t funny and I realised that straight away and took it down.

“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.”

Tottenham are currently on their Premier League winter break, with their next fixture a trip to Aston Villa on Sunday, February 16.