Heartwarming reason Tottenham stars all wore mismatched socks in training ahead of Europa League tie with AZ Alkmaar

TOTTENHAM stars all wore mismatched socks for training ahead of their Europa League clash with AZ Alkmaar.

Many may have been confused by the different kit – but it was for a good reason.

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Tottenham Hotspur players all wore mismatched socks for training[/caption]

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The reason was to raise awareness for World Down Syndrome Day[/caption]

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The team trained ahead of the match against AZ Alkmaar[/caption]

Ange Postecoglou‘s players were prepping for their round of 16 second leg tie when they wore the mismatched socks.

The reason behind the choice of different socks was to raise awareness for World Down Syndrome Day on March 21.

A club statement read: “We are proudly supporting Down Syndrome Awareness Week, with our men’s and women’s first team players today training in colourful mismatched socks.

“Wearing mismatched socks is the perfect way to show that no two people are the same – regardless of the number of chromosomes they have.

“People across the world are encouraged to take part by ‘rocking their socks’ on Thursday March 21, World Down Syndrome Day.

“Our players wore a range of colourful mismatched socks, provided by Nike, at a session attended by young people with Down syndrome and their families.”

Meanwhile, there were some concerns for Spurs ahead of the clash against Alkmaar.

The North London side lost the first leg 1-0 in Holland after Lucas Bergvall‘s own-goal.

Postcoglou was without January signing Kevin Danso, who was not spotted.

The manager admitted: “Kevin got a hamstring injury in the last game so he’s out.”

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Ange Postecoglou admitted that Kevin Danso was injured[/caption]

Forward Richarlison was also training by himself as he builds his fitness.

The Europa League is Spurs’ last chance to win silverware this season after exits in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

It also represents the only likely entry into European football for the 2025/26 season.

In Postecoglou’s press conference, he was asked if he regretted making the claim that he always wins a trophy in his second season with a club.

He said: “My view has always been when you’re asked something, you answer it.

“People have used it for their own purposes to make out I was making a bold claim. I was just stating a fact [about the past].

“If we do win a trophy this season, then some people might say ‘oh isn’t it nice that he did that after making such a bold claim’.

“It wasn’t.

“People will just use it the way they want to, whatever the circumstances.”