FIFA receive written explanation from England team-mates Dele Alli and Kyle Walker over middle finger salute
- Dele Alli is under investigation by FIFA for an inappropriate gesture
- The gesture was made during England's World Cup qualifying win over Slovakia
- England team-mates Alli and Kyle Walker have written to FIFA in explanation
- If hit by a ban, the Tottenham midfielder could miss start of the World Cup
Dele Alli and Kyle Walker have written to FIFA in an attempt to lessen any punishment for the Tottenham midfielder's controversial one-fingered salute.
World football's governing body have launched an official investigation into the flashpoint that occurred in England's 2-1 win over Slovakia earlier this month.
Alli and the Football Association insist the gesture was made towards team-mate Walker and and not referee Clement Turpin.
England's Dele Alli and Kyle Walker have written to FIFA over Alli's middle finger salute
The FA have provided extensive evidence to back-up their claim, including numerous alternative camera angles which would appear to corroborate Alli's explanation.
And part of their evidence also includes letters from Alli and Walker making clear the salute was a personal gesture between the two international colleagues.
Any punishment would be far more severe if FIFA deemed the gesture was made towards the French official.
A three-match suspension would see Alli miss the start of next summer's World Cup
A three-match suspension would see Alli miss the start of next summer's World Cup.
Lionel Messi was suspended for four games earlier this year for verbally abusing a linesman whilst playing for Argentina against Bolivia, though the ban was eventually overturned Alli could still be reprimanded for the gesture given it is not in keeping with the spirit of the game.
But it is likely that such a charge would not result in a punishment over a two-game suspension, meaning the Spurs man would be available for the opening game of the World Cup.
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