English FA contacts Dele Ali over coronavirus joke

The English FA has contacted Tottenham Hotspur footballer, Dele Ali, over a joke he made on social media concerning the coronavirus outbreak in China.

Dele Ali had shared a video on Snapchat in which he mocked an Asian man over the virus which seen the death of over 900 persons.

The England International has since apologized for the video and sent his love to the people of China.

"Hi guys, it's Dele; I just wanted to apologise on my behalf for the video I posted on Snapchat yesterday," he said.

"It wasn't funny and I realised that immediately and took it down. I let myself down and the club.

"I don't want you to have that impression of me because it wasn't funny and I realised that straight away and took it down.

"It isn't something that should be joked about. I'm sending all my love and all my thoughts and prayers to everyone in China", he said.

However, the video might force the English FA to consider charges under Rule E3 which has much to do with media comments and social media posts.

The rule comes in place when someone is considered to have made reference, in an explicit way, to ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, religion or belief, gender, gender reassignment or sexual orientation.