After 748 days, former Tottenham sensation Dele Alli finally returned to football, only to be sent out for Como. The 28-year-old’s comeback was brief as he just played 10 minutes after substituting in during his team’s 2-1 Serie A loss to AC Milan on Saturday night. He had planned to rekindle his career in Italy.
As the visitors sought a well-earned point at the San Siro, Como manager Cesc Fabregas pulled Lucas Da Cunha from the bench and called up Alli. However, when he carelessly slid his studs down the back of Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s legs, his comeback took a terrible turn.
After the referee was advised to rewatch the incident on a pitchside monitor, play was stopped for a VAR review, and his initial yellow card was upgraded to a straight red. His comeback after two years off the pitch did not go as everyone had hoped or anticipated, especially because he battled mental health concerns while playing in the Premier League.
Dele Alli Sent Off in First Appearance in Over Two Years
The midfielder was making his debut for Serie A outfit Como
Former Tottenham teammate Kyle Walker, who moved to Milan from Manchester City in January, begged Matteo Marchetti to have some regret as the Englishman left for an early shower. However, his cries for Alli to avoid a red card during stoppage time were dismissed. See the entire incident below:
VAR. Dele Alli's yellow card is upgraded to a red. Como down to ten men.#MilanComo 2-1 | 90'+1 #SempreMilan
— AC Milan (@acmilan) March 15, 2025