FIFA has given Dele Alli a one international match ban for his middle finger gesture during England’s 2-1 win over Slovakia in the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier match.
Dele Alli was also fined CHF 5000.
FIFA disciplinary committee stated that the gesture was not directed at the centre referee as earlier suggested. Irrespective of that, FIFA ruled that the player’s behaviour was “offensive and unsporting”.
“Following the incident that occurred during the match between England and Slovakia on 4 September 2017, Dele Alli has been sanctioned with a suspension for one official match, and a fine of CHF 5000 for making an offensive and unsporting gesture.
Although the Disciplinary committee was not convinced that the player directed the gesture at the referee, and regardless of whether it was allegedly directed at a teammate, it did consider such gesture to be offensive and unsporting and therefore it amounted to a violation of art.57 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”
Alli had made the middle finger gesture towards the direction of former club teammate Kyle Warker and referee Clerment Turpin but had insisted that he was only involved in a private joke with his former club teammate.
The one international match ban will see Alli miss England’s next match against Slovenia but he will be available for the Russia 2018 should England qualify.
