The (Short) Story Of Ali Dia And The Greatest Con In Premier League History

At 31, Ali Dia fooled Southampton into his first appearance in the Premier League. He had never played a professional game before and he definitely wasn’t George Weah’s cousin.

Our story starts in 1996 when Graeme Souness managed Galatasaray.

After winning the Turkish Cup final, Souness grabbed his team’s flag and planted it in the centre of Fenerbahce’s home field.

Angry “moustached” men chased him down the tunnel and Souness was met with a clamp to the head by a home fan.

It was at that moment that Souness decided to return home and have another crack at managing in the Premier League. This time, at Southampton.

At the time of his arrival, Premier League clubs were receiving calls from a mystery man.

“I keep getting phone calls at the training ground from a guy called ‘Georgie Weah’,” West Ham manager Harry Redknapp recalls. “Lovely George, you wanna play for West Ham?”

“No, I have another player for you. My cousin, Ali Dia.”

“This is a wind-up.” Redknapp hangs up.

On the same day, Gillingham manager, Tony Pulis took the bait: “I was shocked to receive a call from someone claiming to be George Weah, recommending his cousin.”

“...we gave the lad a trial and he was rubbish.”

Dia failed to impress in his trials at Rotherham, Bournemouth and Gillingham. He decided to head south and try his luck with Southampton.

Things weren't going to plan for Souness. So when he received a call from George Weah introducing his 'cousin', he thought his luck had changed.

“He has played with George Weah at Paris Saint-Germain. When someone like that gives you a recommendation you sit up and take notice,” Souness said.

Dia’s luck also began to take a turn. Despite scepticism about who this mystery man was, Dia impressed at his trials.

Southampton decided to take a punt and offered him a one-month trial.

Dia made his breakthrough into the squad against Leeds in November 1996. His moment came after 32 minutes when club legend Matt Le Tissier came off injured.

While chasing a two-nil lead, Souness subbed on ‘George Weah’s’ cousin to change their fate.

“Graeme put him on and he was f**king hopeless,” remembers Le Tissier. “We were like: ‘What’s this geezer doing?"

The 31-year-old Senegalese played 53 minutes in the top flight and achieved a remarkable 100% shot accuracy.

They lost two goals to nil.

“He came in for treatment on Sunday morning. He was told to report again on Monday, and he did a runner.” Le Tissier concludes.