Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli’s domestic season looks over after accepting a Football Association charge of violent conduct.
The youngster is likely to miss Spurs’ title run-in after landing himself in hot water with FA disciplinary chiefs for appearing to punch West Bromwich Albion midfielder Claudio Yacob in the stomach during Monday night’s 1-1 draw.
There was no official confirmation from Wembley chiefs on Wednesday night, but the youngster will not be contesting the charge.
The punishment for violent conduct offences are regularly three-match suspensions, meaning the PFA Young Player of the Year will sit out Tottenham’s final fixtures.
The news will come as a major blow to Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, who is refusing to concede defeat to Leicester in the title race.
The incident was missed by referee Mike Jones during the first half of Monday’s 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane.
But TV footage of Alli appearing to throw a punch into Yacob’s stomach emerged and the FA decided to retrospectively charge the midfielder.
A statement read: ‘Dele Alli has been charged for an alleged act of violent conduct which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video.
‘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).
‘He has until 6pm on Wednesday 27 April to reply. Off the ball incidents which are not seen at the time by the match officials are referred to a panel of three former elite referees.
‘Each referee panel member will review the video footage independently of one another to determine whether they consider it a sending-off offence. For retrospective action to be taken, and an FA charge to follow, the decision of the panel must be unanimous.’
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino suggested after the match that Alli had become a target for provocation.
‘I hear some comments but I have no time to see the action,’ Pochettino said.
‘Sometimes the opponent 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.’
