Tottenham: Dele Alli facing three-match ban after appearing to punch Claudio Yacob

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli is likely to face respective FA action and a three-match ban after appearing to strike West Brom's Claudio Yacob.

Mauricio Pochettino's side were held to a 1-1 draw by the Baggies at White Hart Lane on Monday 25 April, a result that has all but ended Tottenham's hopes of catching Leicester City in the Premier League title race. The north London club must now rely on the Foxes dropping points in their final three league games while winning all theirs, but may have to do that without Alli.

The 20-year-old, crowned the PFA Young Player of the Year on Sunday, appeared to strike West Brom midfielder Yacob in the stomach as the two jostled for the ball just inside the penalty area. Referee Mike Jones did not see the incident but Alli could still find himself in hot water if the FA decide to take retrospective disciplinary action, something they have actively pursued on more than one occasion this season.

Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger was handed a three match ban for violent conduct after a similar incident against West Ham United in December. The Germany international caught defender Winston Reid with a stray elbow in an incident that was not mentioned by referee Mark Clattenburg in his post-match report. Diego Costa was also retrospectively banned for three matches this season after clashing with Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny in September.

While Alli has won widespread acclaim for his splendid season for club and country, he has been involved in a string of similar incidents where his temperament has been questioned this term.

In January, Alli threw the ball into the face of Sunderland defender Patrick van Aanholt. Weeks later, Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew accused the midfielder of stamping on his midfielder Yohan Cabaye, while the former MK Dons starlet also appeared to kick out at Fiorentina defender Nenad Tomovic during a Europa League clash in February.