Dele Alli middle-finger ban verdict leaves England sweating as FA plead with FIFA to bring hearing forward

  • Dele Alli was caught giving a middle-finger in the defeat of Slovakia at Wembley
  • FIFA could implement a two-game ban at a disciplinary hearing next Thursday 
  • But Gareth Southgate wants to know if he can select Alli in his England squad
  • The FA want a final decision made before Southgate names his squad next week 

By Sami Mokbel for the Daily Mail

Published: | Updated:

The FA have asked FIFA to move forward their disciplinary hearing against Dele Alli amid fears he will receive a two-game suspension.

England manager Gareth Southgate is due to name his squad on Thursday at 2pm for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Lithuania.

FIFA are scheduled to decide on the same day whether to punish Alli for his middle-finger gesture in the defeat of Slovakia at Wembley. 


Dele Alli could be omitted from the England squad even if FIFA choose not to suspend him

Dele Alli could be omitted from the England squad even if FIFA choose not to suspend him

England's Dele Alli and Kyle Walker have written to FIFA over Alli's middle finger salute

Alli faces a two-game ban from FIFA, but won't discover his fate until Thursday afternoon

And that leaves Southgate weighing up whether to select a player he may not be able to use if Alli receives anything more than a one-game ban.

The FA have requested FIFA make their ruling on Alli earlier in the week to allow Southgate to plan for the two games — but as it stands the decision is set for Thursday.

Alli and the FA are adamant the midfielder’s gesture was not directed at referee Clement Turpin, but towards England team-mate Kyle Walker.

Even if the FA convince FIFA that is the case, Alli could still face a ban because such gestures are viewed as not in the spirit of the game.

Alli made it clear that his gesture was directed towards Walker with a tweet later on

Alli made it clear that his gesture was directed towards Walker with a tweet later on

England manager Gareth Southgate must choose his squad before the judgement is confirmed

England manager Gareth Southgate must choose his squad before the judgement is confirmed

While losing Alli for two games would not be ideal, anything more would mean the 21-year-old Tottenham ace misses the start of next summer’s World Cup. That would be a huge blow to Southgate.

The England manager will attend Leicester v Liverpool today, when he should be able to check on Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Daniel Sturridge, Jamie Vardy and Harry Maguire.

Southgate’s assistant Steve Holland will attend West Ham v Tottenham this lunchtime, with Michail Antonio under scrutiny because England are without the injured Adam Lallana and Danny Welbeck.

Holland will also attend Brighton v Newcastle tomorrow, when Magpies defender Jamaal Lascelles will have the opportunity to impress.

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