Premier League legend Alan Shearer has some strong words for Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Tottenham star Dele Alli has been making the headlines for all the wrong reasons again of late, being labelled the Premier League’s ‘biggest diver’.
The world and its wife has been having their say on Spurs star Alli after a string of dives this season.
Alli’s reputation seemed to catch up with him in the North London derby against Arsenal with the referee waving away his appeals when going to ground easily under challenges.
Arsene Wenger and Pochettino have clashed over the issue of diving with the Gunners boss suggesting the English were now the masters of the dark art.
Pochettino has been forced to clarify comments he has made over “tricking” opponents as the issue has blown up in recent weeks.
“We don’t like it here, we don’t want to see it, and we regard it as cheating,” Shearer told Coral.
“As far as I’m concerned Pochettino should be ramming it down Dele Alli’s throat that he has to stop it, because that’s the third time he’s been booked for it.
“Alli just hasn’t performed as well this season as last, and so the manager’s focus should be on that. He may have thought his comments would draw attention away from the player, but instead he should be concentrating on getting the player to stop diving.
“There’s no doubt at some point Alli’s actions will cost his team, he’ll be fouled, it should be a penalty, but because of his reputation, his history of diving, he’s not going to get it and when that happen?
“Tottenham will only have themselves to blame.”
Shearer added that he felt the only way to put a stop to Alli’s antics was to hit him – and other divers – with an automatic two-game ban retrospectively.
Everton’s Oumar Niasse and West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini have both been retrospectively banned for two games for diving this season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
