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Verdict: Dele Alli has let Tottenham down

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OPINION

Dele Alli made the headlines for the wrong reason on Thursday when he was photographed in the Sun allegedly worse for wear. 

Their report claimed he had collapsed on a sun lounger after drinking in 33c heat in Greece and that he had to be carried away by two guards after his girlfriend Ruby Mae called for help.

Talking on the Jim White Show (talkSPORT, Friday, 10.15am) Clinton Morrison said it was a “stupid story”.

“There’s so much going on in the world, with Brexit, and yet we’re talking about Dele Alli going on holiday with his missus…” Morrison added.

“Get over it, let the kid live a bit. I don’t think he’s conducted himself in a bad manner, he’s on holiday and enjoying a few drinks.”

That’s a fair point but there is a counter to this.

Dele Alli is a role model whether he likes it or not and he will have had extensive media training from Tottenham.

It’s not enough in this day and age to say ‘My privacy should be respected’ – the reality is that Alli is one of the most high profile players in Britain. He’s an ambassador for Tottenham.

If the story is true – and so far Alli hasn’t refuted it – he shouldn’t be drinking like this in public.

In the same way that it’s tough to understand why players think they can get away with foul play on the pitch in front of the cameras, Alli will have known he’s going to be photographed when he’s on holiday and in public.

You have to have some common sense and Alli has let himself and Tottenham down.

We’re not trying to be the moral arbiter here – if Alli wants to drink on holiday like that then maybe do it in private.

It might be unfair, and some people will definitely disagree with us, but Alli is a privileged person in so many ways. He’s paid an extraordinary sum of money to play football and he’s set up for life.

There are some downsides to fame and fortune, and this is one of them. Alli should conduct himself like a pro off the pitch as well as on it.

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