How an impostor infiltrated Southampton for an unforgettable 53 minutes
Ali Dia claimed to be George Weah’s cousin, tricked his way into Southampton’s squad, and delivered the most infamous cameo in Premier League history.
Southampton, at the time, were in trouble sitting 16th in the table, two points above the relegation zone, with one win in their last seven. Graeme Souness had been brought in to steady a ship that was already half sunk, leaking goals and hope in equal measure.
The club’s only consistent bright spot was Matt Le Tissier, who by then had fully evolved into a cult god capable of scoring screamers with both feet. The squad around him was a rotating cast of journeymen, academy prospects and loan flops. Southampton weren’t just looking for a miracle, they were desperate for a defensive legend.
What they got instead was a 31-year-old striker with the movement of a collapsing marionette, who claimed he’d played for Paris Saint-Germain and had 13 caps for Senegal.
The phone call that fooled the Premier League
It started with a phone call from a man claiming to be George Weah, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner. The voice on the line told Graeme Souness that his cousin, Ali Dia, was a talented striker looking for a club. He’d played for Paris Saint-Germain, had 13 caps for Senegal, and was ready to make an impact in English football, but none of it was true.
There was no family tie to George Weah, no PSG appearances and no record of him ever representing Senegal. But in 1996, before online databases and background checks were routine, it didn’t take much more than a confident voice and a fabricated CV to convince a club to take a chance.
Southampton was vulnerable with a run of poor form and a growing injury list. Souness needed players and offered Ali Dia a one-month contract and invited him to train with the first team
Dia turned up at training and, by most accounts, looked completely out of his depth. His touch was off, his positioning confused. But two days later, he was named on the bench for a Premier League match against Leeds United.
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On 23 November 1996, Southampton hosted Leeds United at The Dell. Ali Dia was named among the substitutes and, in the 32nd minute, replaced Matt Le Tissier, who had been forced off through injury.
From the moment he stepped onto the pitch, it was clear why he had never been selected before. Dia lacked pace, positional awareness, and basic control of the ball. He appeared overwhelmed, aimlessly chasing play and colliding with teammates.
Le Tissier later recalled the bizarre scene: “He ran around the pitch like Bambi on ice. It was very, very embarrassing to watch.”
Ali Dia
After just 53 minutes, manager Graeme Souness substituted Dia off, bringing on Ken Monkou, a seasoned defender, to restore some order. Despite the change, Southampton lost the match 2-0.
Two days later, Dia failed to report for treatment. Within two weeks of signing, his contract was terminated.
That 53-minute cameo has gone down as one of the most infamous episodes in Premier League history for how easily an impostor managed to infiltrate the top flight of English football.
Written and Researched By Amelie Claydon of The Matchday Post
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