Jamie Vardy defends Dele Alli in face of criticism over middle-finger gesture: 'Come on, it's harmless... it's been blown out of proportion'
- Dele Alli has been criticised after cameras caught him with middle finger raised
- Alli says it was directed at his friend and England right-back Kyle Walker
- Jamie Vardy has weighed into the debate and defended the Tottenham man
Football needs to develop a sense of humour because Dele Alli's middle-finger gesture to Kyle Walker was harmless and simply banter, Jamie Vardy has said.
Footage showing Alli gesturing during England's game against Slovakia at Wembley Stadium on Monday has been looked at by FIFA.
The 21-year-old is expected to escape a lengthy ban as they stopped short of a formal investigation, though Vardy has warned this risks taking the fun out of football.
England's Dele Alli is set to avoid a lengthy ban over his obscene gesture on Monday evening
The Tottenham midfielder's gesture was broadcast live on ITV's coverage of the Slovakia game
'The middle finger? Come on, it's harmless,' Vardy said. 'It's just something that has been blown out of proportion. He was doing it to Walks.
'It's just harmless banter and has been blown way out of proportion. They're always having a laugh and a giggle. That's just how they are.
'They were team-mates for a few years. They're going to like to mess around, especially now that Walks has moved on himself.
Jamie Vardy has defended his international team-mate against recent criticism
'It would definitely be harsh (if FIFA acted). If he is getting reprimanded for that, then we might as well take emotion and enjoyment out of the game.
'Everyone has got to have a bit of banter, otherwise I don't think you would get through the day of being a footballer.'
Alli was initially accused of aiming the gesture at referee Clement Turpin after television cameras spotted the midfielder's signal in the 76th minute.
Other angles indicated he was indeed looking at Walker, though Alli could land a three-match ban if FIFA do not believe his story.
Jamie Vardy was speaking at the Sky premiere of a fly-on-the-wall series following his V9 Academy's search for the next hidden gems in non-League football.
Video footage appears to confirm the gesture was aimed at England colleague Kyle Walker
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