[3] After a playing career at the lower levels in France and Germany,[citation needed] and having already failed trials at Gillingham, Bournemouth[4] and Rotherham United, playing once in a reserve game for the latter,[5] Dia joined non-league club Blyth Spartans, where he made only one substitute appearance – on 9 November 1996 in a Northern Premier League game against Boston United.
"Weah" told Souness that Dia was his cousin and had played for Paris Saint-Germain as well as 13 times for his country and should give him a chance at Southampton.
[5] After no offer from Vale followed, he briefly played for Conference National side Gateshead, before leaving in February 1997.
[3] Dia played eight games for the North East outfit, including scoring on his debut in a 5–0 win over Bath City.
A 2015 article from Bleacher Report stated that Dia had also successfully pulled the same ruse on FinnPa and VfB Lübeck.
[5] Speaking to the Gateshead Post after the story broke, Dia laughed off the allegations and stated he had recently scored for Senegal in a 3–1 1998 World Cup qualifying win over Guinea.
Dia said: "I have been portrayed as a con man and a poor player, but I am neither and intend to prove people wrong.
[1] In 2016, Bleacher Report tracked down Dia and it was revealed that he was living in London, but was looking to move back to Qatar.