Dele Alli says his middle-finger gesture during England’s win over Slovakia was directed at his teammate Kyle Walker in jest and not the referee.
Alli received a rough challenge from Slovakia defender Martin Skrtel, but referee Clement Turpin allowed play to go on.
Cameras then showed Alli gesturing his middle finger in the direction of Turpin after he had looked away, an action that could result in retrospective punishment if it is seen anywhere near the referee’s match report.
Alli then wrote on Twitter that the ref was not intended to be the recipient of his gesture, but rather it was meant for Walker, his former teammate at Tottenham.
“Just to clarify, the gesture tonight was a joke between me and my good friend Kyle Walker! Apologies for any offence caused! Great win 2nite”
“I’ve not seen it but I’ve been made aware of it,” Southgate said. “Kyle and Dele were mucking about, and Dele’s made a gesture towards Kyle.
“I don’t know what’s been visible on the pitch, or what the angle of the pitch was.
“The pair of them have a strange way of communicating, but that’s what they’ve said when it’s been raised. Without seeing it, I’ve literally just gone and asked him quickly.”
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