Alli could miss World Cup opener after Fifa launches proceedings over gesture
Dele Alli is in danger of being banned from England’s opening match of the World Cup after Fifa opened disciplinary proceedings over his obscene gesture during their qualifying win over Slovakia.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Alli was facing punishment after being caught on camera raising his middle finger 13 minutes from the end of Monday’s game at Wembley after being body-checked by former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel.
It initially appeared he was directing his gesture towards referee Clement Turpin, who had waved play on.
But the 21-year-old took to Twitter to say the salute had been aimed at team-mate Kyle Walker and was a “joke between me and my good friend”, with manager Gareth Southgate having already said the pair had been “mucking about”.
Walker appeared to endorse that view the following day when he posted the comment, “Morning @dele_official”, on Twitter alongside a clip from comedy programme Mr Bean showing the title character performing the same gesture.
But that may not prevent Alli being punished under Article 57 of the Fifa disciplinary code, which reads: “Anyone who insults someone in any way, especially by using offensive gestures or language, or who violates the principles of fair play or whose behaviour is unsporting in any other way may be subject to sanctions.”
A punishment could range from a warning or fine all the way up to a ban. A three-game suspension would mean Alli missing England’s final two World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Lithuania next month and their opening fixture of the finals should they reach Russia.
The Football Association has been given until Sept 13 to respond to the opening of proceedings.