Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Alli has gained the support of the former Arsenal legend.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Dele Alli is being backed by an unlikely source in Arsenal legend Ian Wright, after further allegations of simulation.
Not for the first time in his short career, Alli was accused of diving to win Tottenham a penalty in Sunday’s 2-2 FA Cup fifth round draw against Rochdale.
And while the decision to award the spot kick was later supported by Keith Hill, the Rochdale manager, the Spurs man’s actions have again caused controversy in some quarters.
Writing in his column for the Sun newspaper [February 20th, page 46], however, urged Alli’s critics to ‘get off his case’.
“No sooner had Dele Alli gone down in the Rochdale box on Sunday and the knives were out in force once again,” said the former Arsenal striker. “Dele has been in the news more than once for going to ground too easily. We know he’s been guilty of it on occasions.
“But to suggest he dived to win that late FA Cup penalty is just wrong. It was a foul, a tired challenge from a League One defender against fresh legs, just off the bench. Dele is a really magnificent talent and he will be crucial to England’s hopes at the World Cup this summer.
“So get off his case, be thankful he’s playing for the Three Lions and consider this one fact if you STILL think he was in the wrong on Sunday… Even Rochdale manager Keith Hill said it was a nailed-on penalty – and that should be enough for everyone.”
Harry Kane duly dispatched the penalty won by Alli, which appeared to hand Tottenham a 2-1 win at Spotland and secure their progression to the quarter-final stage.
However, Steven Davies’ strike in the game’s dying moments earned League One’s bottom side another shot at Spurs at Wembley next week.
The winner of that game will travel to either Swansea City or Sheffield Wednesday in the competition’s last eight.
Is Alli’s reputation for diving unfair?
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