ALLI TO ESCAPE FIFA SANCTION

DELE ALLI looks to have talked his way out of a four match FIFA ban after his middle-finger gesture which could have seen him miss the first two games of the World Cup in Russia next summer. Apologising for any offence caused, Alli made it clear that his middlefinger gesture during Monday night’s 21 win over Slovakia was aimed at his former Spurs teammate Kyle Walker rather than any of the officials. Article 49.1.a of the FIFA disciplinary code says “the overall suspension shall be for at least four matches for unsporting conduct towards a match official”. However, television replays aired by ITV seem to back up Alli’s explanation that “the gesture was a joke between me and my good friend Kyle Walker”. The FA say they also have footage that has not yet been broadcast that further supports the explanation. The incident occurred just after play was waved despite Alli feeling he was body-checked by Martin Skrtel. Referee Clement Turpin is vaguely in the line of sight between Alli and Walker, but the Manchester City defender clearly reacts to the signal by throwing out his arms, suggesting he felt the gesture was meant for him. Even if FIFA decide that, in balance of probabilities, Alli was not aiming his misconduct at the match officials, the Tottenham playmaker could still be in the dock under Article 57. That rule states: “Anyone who insults someone in any way, especially by using offensive gestures or languages, or whose behaviour is unsporting in any other way may be subject to sanctions.”