Tottenham Hotspur star Dele Alli could be banned from World Cup

London, Sep 9: FIFA have opened disciplinary actions against Tottenham and England midfielder Dele Alli following his controversial gesture shown during Monday night’s World Cup qualifier against Slovakia.

The Spurs star could miss World Cup action next summer which will be a setback for the Three Lions.

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.

"The pair of them have a strange way of communicating! But that's what they've said when it's been raised."

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, speaking on Thursday, had also played it down.

"It's true it's not a fantastic gesture but it's not a big issue. It was a joke in a moment with his teammate. I don't think it'll be a big issue with FIFA or with us."

This is not the first time Dele Alli has been involved in controversies regarding his disciplinary actions and he must ensure that he behaves better as a professional both on and off the pitch.

He missed the Premier League title run-in in 2015-16 after punching West Bromwich Albion's Claudio Yacob and was sent off for a dangerous foul on Gent's Brecht Dejaegere during a Europa League game in February.

It will be a major blow to England’s World Cup hopes if Alli is held guilty as he is one of the best and in0form English players right now.