Tottenham Hotspur

Eric Dier defends Dele Alli over diving row

By Jonny Whitfield, Reporter | 27 February 2018

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Eric Dier defends Dele Alli, saying that his teammate should not focus on the latest claims of diving against him.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Eric Dier has defended Dele Alli, saying that his teammate should not focus on the latest claims of diving against him.

Alli was criticised following Spurs' 1-0 win over Crystal Palace last weekend for two failed attempts to win a penalty, with Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer both alleging that he dived on social media.

Dier has said, however, that Alli should focus only on his improvement as a player, adding that the rest "really is irrelevant".

"I'm sure [Linker and Shearer] probably both dived in their careers. These things happen," the 24-year-old told reporters. "Obviously, because it's Dele, I think it probably gets more attention than it deserves.

"I don't think he pays any attention to it and I think that's the most important thing. All he needs to pay attention to is how his teammates feel and how the manager sees him and how his family see him, and the rest really is irrelevant.

"It's difficult because nowadays with Twitter and Instagram and every other social media outlet, and the internet, everyone has an opinion and you have to sift through it to find the right one."

Alli was booked for diving in his side's 2-2 draw with Liverpool earlier this season.