World Cup

England boss Gareth Southgate hopeful over Dele Alli involvement

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 28 September 2017

England boss Gareth Southgate says he is hopeful that Dele Alli will avoid a suspension for gesture made during the Three Lions' match with Slovakia.

England boss Gareth Southgate has revealed that he held a conversation with Dele Alli in the aftermath of an incident with took place in the game with Slovakia.

Towards the conclusion of the 2-1 win at Wembley Stadium, Alli appeared to make what could be interpreted as an obscene gesture, although replays suggested that the Tottenham Hotspur player was communicating with teammate Kyle Walker, rather than an opponent or the referee.

FIFA is still yet to decide whether Alli will face any punishment for the incident, but that has not prevented the 21-year-old being selected in the squad for the World Cup qualifying matches with Slovenia and Lithuania.

The 47-year-old told reporters: "We have not heard anything at the moment from Fifa on Dele Alli. We run the risk of being a shambles because he might have to be withdrawn. We hope common sense prevails. We have given our side of events, Dele has given his, we have to see what happens next.

"I have had a good chat with Dele about different things, he is disappointed to miss football. He recognises the responsibility and we still have to qualify. We hope to have him available.

"Old people make mistakes, so young people will do. Hopefully something like that will not happen again."

Should Alli receive any ban in excess of two matches, the playmaker faces the prospect of missing games at the World Cup Finals in Russia.