Former England winger David Bentley faced menacing threats from Mexico supporters who made throat-slitting gestures after he provoked them during the Three Lions' dramatic last-16 World Cup victory at the Estadio Azteca. The 41-year-old, wearing a bandana and a retro blue England shirt, was filmed exchanging rude gestures with the home crowd as tensions escalated in the stands.
Bentley's taunts spark fury among Mexico fans
Bentley posted several videos on Instagram from high up in the terraces, where he was positioned near the front of the away supporters' section, heavily outnumbered by Mexican fans. He had earlier joked: "We might not get out of here alive." As England stormed into a 2-0 lead, the hosts grew increasingly irate, with a thin cordon of police struggling to keep the rival fans apart.
After Jarrell Quansah's red card, several Mexican fans directly confronted Bentley. One spectacled supporter gave him the middle finger before drawing his finger across his throat. Another wild-looking fan gestured aggressively for Bentley to come closer, also mimicking a throat-cutting motion. Bentley responded by calling the man a w****r.
Social media reaction and aftermath
Bentley captioned the video on Instagram: "Red Card! Getting tasty now!" 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 chimed in: "Bentley's always been a wind-up."
England secured a dramatic triumph, booking their spot in the quarter-finals with a resolute defensive performance that featured six clearances from substitute Dan Burn, who entered the fray in the 75th minute. Bentley later posted clips of himself celebrating with a group of Three Lions fans, parading through the concourse with a trumpet and drums. He wrote: "10 men in the Azteca! Might be better than 'Bentley from the halfway line'." The euphoric scenes continued well into the night across Mexico as 10-man England sealed their place in the last eight.
