World Cup

England boss Gareth Southgate: 'Dele Alli ban is fair'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 04 October 2017

England boss Gareth Southgate says that Dele Alli's one-match ban for making an "offensive and unsporting" gesture against Slovakia was fair.

England manager Gareth Southgate has suggested that midfielder Dele Alli will learn from the experience of being handed a one-match ban from international fixtures.

Last week, FIFA gave out the punishment - and a fine of £3,850 - after Alli made what was deemed to be an "offensive and unsporting" gesture during England's 2-1 victory over Slovakia at the start of September.

It has been acknowledged that Alli was communicating with teammate Kyle Walker, but Southgate has claimed that the Tottenham Hotspur star deserved to sit out Thursday's World Cup qualifier with Slovenia.

The 47-year-old told reporters: "It was quite a unique circumstance. I think it is probably a fair outcome.

"I have discussed it with Dele throughout, so he recognises his responsibilities and how things will be viewed, and how his world is changing in terms of the attention on him and the spotlight on him. He won't do it again, that's for sure. It's an experience he will have learned from."

Alli has remained in Southgate's plans for the final game of the qualifying campaign, which will be against Lithuania on Sunday.