Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino urges Dele Alli to continue fooling the referee and carry on diving

Feb 06, 2018

MAURICIO POCHETTINO says Dele Alli can carry on diving and insisted: It is just one of the tricks of football.

Tottenham star Dele, 21, got his THIRD yellow card for simulation in just three seasons during Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool.

Dele Alli was heavily criticised for another failed dive against Liverpool

But when quizzed over whether Dele’s antics could stop referees awarding his side penalties, boss Pochettino claimed: “There is such a focus on this type of situation. I think it’s a minimal issue.

“He is a little bit nasty. He’s not perfect, nobody is. Of course, he is a clever boy.

Football is a creative sport in which you need a very smart brain. And now we are so focused on minimal details.

“Twenty years ago it was like all congratulate the player when he tricks the referee like this.

Mauricio Pochettino insisted that football is about trying to trick your opponent

The Spurs ace picked up his third booking for simulation in three seasons

“I am worried that maybe we are going to kill the game.

“Football is about trying to trick your opponent.

“Of course if you dive and the referee sees you, you are punished. On Sunday it was a yellow card, the referee was right and Dele deserves it. But don’t go more crazy.”