Spurs’ Alli hit with violent conduct charge

London (AFP) – Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli has been charged with violent conduct, the Football Association announced on Tuesday.

The charges relate to an incident involving West Bromwich Albion’s Claudio Yacob, whom the 20-year-old Alli appeared to punch during the course of a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane on Monday that left Spurs’ hopes of winning the Premier League title hanging by a thread.

If found guilty, England’s rising star Alli could face a three-match suspension that would rule him out of the rest of the season. He has until 6:00pm local time (1700 GMT) on Wednesday to respond to the charge.

“Dele Alli has been charged for an alleged act of violent conduct which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video,” said an FA statement.

“The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder was involved in an incident with West Bromwich Albion’s Claudio Yacob in the 26th minute of the game last night (Monday 25 April 2016).”

Second-placed Tottenham’s draw left them seven points behind leaders Leicester, who will clinch the title if they beat Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Alli was knocked down twice by Yacob early in the match and then, clearly angered, appeared to punch the Baggies midfielder in the chest.

Referee Mike Jones did not see an incident that received wide exposure on television and social media.

As a result of Alli’s action escaping Jones’s notice, it has been referred to a panel of three former elite referees, who can decide if it is worthy of retrospective action.

Following the match, Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino said opponents were trying to goad Alli.

“I hear some comments but I have no time to see the action,” Pochettino said. “Sometimes the opponents find him and try to provoke, they know he has a strong character and may react.

“I don’t know what has happened, we will see. I have nothing to comment now but Dele has a strong character if you wind him up,” the Argentinian added.

After the game, a laughing Yacob tried to brush off the incident with Alli by telling reporters: “I don’t remember it. It was nothing. What stays on the pitch…”