Alli’s ban for finger
DELE ALLI has escaped with a one-game ban for his middle-finger gesture against Slovakia.
It rules him out of England’s qualifier with Slovenia on Thursday.
But the Tottenham star and the FA had feared tougher punishment from FIFA and the possibility of a suspension stretching into next summer’s World Cup.
His gesture was initially thought to have been aimed at referee Clement Turpin, but Alli and Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate insisted it was a “joke” directed at his former Tottenham teammate Kyle Walker.
The FA used pictures and video footage to back up their case and FIFA accepted the explanation, although still deemed the incident worthy of a ban as it was “offensive and unsporting.”
Alli was also fined £3,800.
The FA cannot appeal against the disciplinary committee’s decision.