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Walker Appeals for Dele Alli During Debut Match

In a recent game that marked Dele Alli’s long-awaited return to the field, AC Milan defender Kyle Walker expressed his emotional investment in the situation when he intervened to plead with the referee on behalf of his former teammate. This moment unfolded during Alli’s debut for Como, a match that saw him come on as a substitute in the 81st minute of a tightly contested 2-1 victory for Milan.

After a hiatus of over two years from top-flight football, Dele’s opportunity to shine was cut short when he received a red card just ten minutes into his appearance. His dismissal was due to a challenging tackle on Milan’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek, which was initially sanctioned with a yellow card but was later escalated to a red following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review. Walker, who has known Dele during their time together at Tottenham Hotspur and on the England national team, felt compelled to advocate for him during this pivotal moment.

“I think my heart kicked in,” Walker said. “If it were anyone else, I might have let it go, but with Dele, I’m very aware of how hard he’s worked to reclaim his spot at Como. It’s an excellent opportunity for him to reinvigorate his career.” Walker displayed a deep understanding of Dele’s challenges, particularly in light of the adversities he has publicly shared.

Since 2023, Dele has been open about his past, including childhood trauma and struggles with mental health and addiction. Walker reflected on these challenges, noting, “For the personal relationship I have with Dele, given all he has faced—and how articulate he’s been about that—it felt harsh for him to receive a red card for what was not a malicious challenge. He was a bit hard done by.” This sentiment highlights a broader recognition of Dele’s resilience in overcoming significant personal issues.

In a poignant social media post following the match, Dele acknowledged the difficulties of his two-year absence, stating, “Two years! Not necessarily how I planned it, but we keep moving.” He later shared insights from his conversation with Loftus-Cheek, where he insisted that his intent was merely to “clip” his opponent’s heel and not to cause harm.

Walker also addressed the modern dilemma of having to defend oneself on social media rather than in person, stating, “That’s the world we live in now.” He expressed understanding for Dele’s approach, which he felt was respectful to the fans and aimed to clarify that no ill intent accompanied the challenge.

As Dele looks to bounce back from this setback, the support from former teammates like Walker is crucial as he embarks on this new chapter with Como.

Source
www.bbc.com