FA hopes video evidence will clear Dele Alli of FIFA sanctions
 |
| Dele Alli sticking his middle finger out |
The Football Association hopes video
evidence will prove to FIFA that Dele Alli's obscene gesture was aimed at
England team-mate Kyle Walker rather than any official or opponent.
Moving to within touching distance
of the World Cup finals last week was overshadowed by the fallout to the
Tottenham attacking midfielder's middle-finger gesture in the 2-1 qualifying
win against Slovakia.
Annoyed not to win a free-kick after
a collision with Martin Skrtel on the edge of the box, when play was halted TV
footage showed Alli swearing - something he was quick to point out on social
media was aimed at Walker.
England boss Gareth Southgate
downplayed talk his gesture was aimed at referee Clement Turpin, with both Alli
and Walker understood to have made statements as part of the FA's submission to
FIFA.
Just to clarify, the gesture tonight was a joke between me and my good friend Kyle Walker! Apologies for any offence caused! Great win 2nite
Football's
world governing body opened disciplinary proceedings against the England
midfielder in the wake of the incident, with the FA given up until
Wednesday to respond.
An FA spokesperson said: "We
have today responded to FIFA and understand the case will be reviewed by the
disciplinary committee before the end of the month."
Press Association Sport understands
the FA's submission included a plea in mitigation and video evidence showing
that the middle-finger gesture was aimed at Walker rather than the officials or
any Slovakia player.
It is also understood that the FA
has asked FIFA to confirm the decision will be made before the World Cup
Qualifier at home to Slovenia on October 5.
Earlier this year, Argentina
successfully appealed against a four-match suspension imposed by FIFA on Lionel
Messi for verbally abusing a match official. The Barcelona star had served one
game by the time it was lifted.
If a lengthy ban was handed out to
the England player rather than a fine, there is the prospect Alli could miss
not only the conclusion of the qualifying campaign, but also potentially the
opening match of the 2018 World Cup should, as most likely, Southgate's team
qualify.
The Three Lions have a five-point
cushion at the top of Group F with a home match against Slovenia and trip to
Lithuania to come.(Sky Sports)
Comments
Post a Comment