World Cup 2018: John Stones insists he was NOT goading Colombians in viral picture following England’s penalties win
Three Lions defender claimed that the South American side were the 'dirtiest' team he'd ever come across
JOHN STONES insists he was not goading Colombia after England's penalty triumph.
The Three Lions defender was pictured celebrating while staring towards the direction of Wilmar Barrios.
Stones launched a scathing attack on the Colombians after the victory describing them as the "dirtiest team I've come up against."
But the Man City ace insists his celebrations were directed towards the England bench.
He said of the picture: "Oh, I've seen that!
"I was celebrating across to the bench. It's come across a bit wrong but the best thing for us was to beat them at football."
Stones had earlier refused a handshake from Carlos Bacca after the striker picked up a yellow card almost immediately after coming on as a sub for a late challenge on the defender.
Colombian midfielder Wilmar Barrios escaped with only a yellow card after headbutting Jordan Henderson.
Stones would add: "The best thing for us was to beat them at football, that will hurt them most.
"At the end of the day they're on a plane home and we're still here.
FROM RUSSIA WITH LIVE All the latest action, news, goals and gossip from the World Cup
Latest World Cup news
"The game was so strange.
"It was the dirtiest team I've ever come up against, in the respect of when we won a penalty, surrounding the referee, pushing the referee, the headbutt you've all seen, scuffing the penalty spot and a lot of off the ball stuff I'm sure you've not heard about.
"All the sort of things you don't really hear in a football match.
"On our behalf it showed massive character to keep a cool head and not get dragged into their game."