Dele Alli, the former England and current Everton midfielder, has found himself in the midst of controversy once again. The 26-year-old has been pictured inhaling nitrous oxide, also known as ‘hippy crack’, in a social gathering with friends. The images show him with a balloon in his mouth and canisters of the gas visible in the background.
where did it all go wrong dele alli… pic.twitter.com/8HHE2iSMUK
— george (@StokeyyG2) April 10, 2023
Alli had returned to the UK for an assessment on a hip injury that had curtailed his season-long loan at Turkish club Besiktas. Despite hopes that the move would revitalize his career, the midfielder had made only 15 appearances in all competitions. His return to the UK follows a bizarre saga last month. When the Besiktas manager claimed that Alli had not turned up for training and couldn’t be contacted. Alli himself denied going AWOL on social media.
Dele Alli has a Career Nose dive
This latest incident involving Alli comes at a time when the possession of laughing gas is under scrutiny. While it is not illegal to possess nitrous oxide, the UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman is pushing for new laws to ban it, citing its links with anti-social behavior.
Alli’s career has been in decline in recent years after falling out of favor at Tottenham Hotspur. A move to Everton in January 2021 failed to reignite his form. And a loan spell at Besiktas this season has also been ineffective. The Turkish club’s manager had offered a scathing assessment of Alli’s form. He stated that Alli “doesn’t deserve to play at the moment.”
Alli’s off-field behaviour has also come under scrutiny. This latest incident not being the first time he has been involved in controversy. In 2019, he was robbed at knifepoint during a burglary at his home. In the same year, he was fined by the Football Association and banned for one game for making an offensive gesture during a match.
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Alli still has a year remaining on his Everton contract, but new manager Sean Dyche is expected to make a decision on his future in the summer. However, this latest incident involving nitrous oxide could cast further doubts on his career prospects.
Conclusion
While possession of laughing gas may not be illegal, its use has been linked with several health risks, including unconsciousness, heart attacks, and even death. Its association with anti-social behavior has also led to calls for stricter laws. As a high-profile footballer, Alli’s actions will undoubtedly be scrutinized, and this latest incident could have serious consequences for his career.