Former England international David Bentley, 41, was subjected to threatening gestures from Mexico fans during the Three Lions' dramatic last-16 World Cup victory at the Estadio Azteca. A bandana-clad Bentley was seen exchanging rude hand gestures with home supporters, and one fan made a 'slit throat' motion towards him.
Taunts and Tensions Rise
Bentley, who previously played for Tottenham Hotspur, had earlier quipped on social media: 'We might not get out of here alive.' He shared videos from high in the stands, wearing a retro blue England shirt, close to the away fans who were heavily outnumbered. The hosts grew increasingly unhappy as England took an early 2-0 lead, and tensions flared when Mexico pulled a goal back.
Police struggled to keep rival fans apart. After England's Jarrell Quansah received a red card, a bespectacled Mexico fan flipped Bentley off before running his finger under his throat in a sinister manner. Another fan beckoned Bentley down before repeating the gesture. Bentley responded by calling the man a 'w****r' and wrote on Instagram: 'Red Card! Getting tasty now!'
Reactions and Aftermath
Rangers legend Ally McCoist commented: 'My money was on the big yin eating you rather than slittin yer throat... ps the big yin with the Gregory’s, looks like he couldn’t fight sleep.' Another fan wrote: 'Bentley’s always been a wind up.'
Despite the threats, Bentley had the last laugh as 10-man England secured a dramatic victory. He later shared clips of himself dancing with a troop of Three Lions supporters, complete with a trumpet and drums, through the Azteca concourse. He wrote: '10 men in the Azteca! Might be better than 'Bentley from the halfway line'.' The wild celebrations continued into the night after England advanced to the quarter-finals, inspired by a defensive display that included six clearances from substitute Dan Burn, who came on in the 75th minute.
