Dele Alli endured a nightmare return to competitive football as he was shown a red card just 10 minutes into his first match in over two years, marking an unfortunate start to his comeback.
The 28-year-old midfielder, who recently signed an 18-month contract with Serie A side Como in January, was making his long-awaited debut after a prolonged absence from the football scene due to injury and personal setbacks.
Alli was introduced as a substitute in Como’s crucial league fixture against AC Milan at the San Siro, hoping to make an impact for his new team. However, his return took a disastrous turn when he was penalized for a late challenge on Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Initially, the referee issued a yellow card for the foul, but after a VAR review, the decision was overturned, and Alli was sent off with a straight red card, leaving Como at a significant disadvantage.
The decision immediately sparked outrage from the Como bench, with several players and coaching staff protesting against the call. In the midst of the heated exchanges, Como’s head coach, Cesc Fabregas, was also shown a red card for his protests, compounding the team's woes.
Even AC Milan’s Kyle Walker, who previously played alongside Alli at Tottenham Hotspur and for the England national team, attempted to intervene on his behalf, pleading with the referee to reconsider the decision. However, his efforts were in vain as the dismissal stood.
The red card means Alli’s much-anticipated return to football was abruptly cut short, overshadowing what was meant to be a fresh start for the former England international. The midfielder, who last played a professional match in February 2023 for Turkish club Besiktas, has endured a challenging few years, struggling with injuries and a loss of form since his breakout years at Tottenham.
Following his early dismissal, Como now faces an uphill battle in upcoming fixtures, with Alli likely to serve a suspension that will further delay his efforts to reestablish himself in European football.