England and Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli says his middle-finger gesture during Monday’s victory over Slovakia was aimed at team-mate Kyle Walker, and not the referee.
TV cameras and photography agencies caught the 21-year-old making the gesture in the 77th minute after a coming together with Slovakia defender, and former Liverpool man, Martin Skrtel.
On first glance it appeared that the gesture was aimed at referee Clement Turpin, who had decided not to award the Spurs man a free kick following the incident. Alli would later have words with the referee as he was substituted in stoppage time.
But reacting on Twitter after the match, Alli insisted that the gesture was in fact aimed at England team-mate Walker, with whom he played alongside at Tottenham before Walker’s summer move to Manchester City.
Alli apologised for any offence caused, before attempting to clarify the incident.
“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,” the England international tweeted after the match.
Alli’s account matches that of England manager Gareth Southgate, who admitted to having not seen the incident at the time.
Speaking after the match, he said: “I've not seen it but I've been made aware of it.
In Pictures | England vs Slovakia | 04/09/2017
"Kyle and Dele were mucking about, and Dele's made a gesture towards Kyle.
"I don't know what the angle of the pitch is. The pair of them have a strange way of communicating, but that's what they've said when it's been raised."
