FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against a professional footballer after the player was caught making an obscene gesture during an England match, the world governing body announced on Friday.
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli stuck his middle finger up during the national side’s World Cup qualifier against Slovakia on Monday but said after the game the gesture had been directed at teammate Kyle Walker as a joke.
But a FIFA spokesman said the incident was being investigated.
“We can confirm that disciplinary proceedings have been opened following this incident. Please understand we cannot comment further at this stage,” the spokesman said.
Pictures and video footage of Alli’s gesture were widely shared on social media but England manager Gareth Southgate played down the incident.
“Kyle and Dele were mucking about and Dele’s made a gesture towards Kyle,” Southgate told reporters at Wembley.
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