Manchester United Captain Bruno Fernandes recently called for the revocation of a rule that prohibits players from taking off their shirts when celebrating a goal.
Fernandes emphasized the importance of allowing players to express their emotions after scoring, noting, “I think it’s one of the rules footballs has to change because you should be able to celebrate the goal, obviously with respect to other clubs, to enjoy your moment.”
Bruno’s plea came after Manchester United’s winger Amad Diallo was sent off in a match against long-time rivals Liverpool after he received a second yellow card.
Diallo scored a dramatic late winner against Liverpool in their FA Cup quarter final to send his side through to the semis and send the Old Trafford into a frenzy.
Amidst the jubilant celebrations, Amad removed his shirt, resulting in referee John Brooks issuing him a yellow card.
According to International Football Association Board (IFAB) rules, players are not allowed to remove their shirts during a football match.
The IFAB Laws of the Game explicitly instruct officials to show a yellow card to any player who disregards this rule.
The rule was enacted in 2004 and is specifically designed for several reasons.
Primarily, it aims to minimize time-wasting activities and discourages behaviors deemed unsportsmanlike.
Players are shown a yellow card for taking their shirts off due to it being considered an ‘excessive’ celebration.
IFAB Rules on Celebrations
However, leaving the field of play to celebrate a goal is not a punishable offence but players should return as soon as possible.
In the official laws of the game, FIFA Rule 3 regarding fouls and misconduct states:
“Players can celebrate when a goal is scored, but the celebration must not be excessive; choreographed celebrations are not encouraged and must not cause excessive time-wasting,” read part of the FA Laws.
“A player must be cautioned, even if the goal is disallowed, for:
- climbing onto a perimeter fence and/or approaching the spectators in a manner which causes safety and/or security issues.
- gesturing or acting in a provocative, derisory, or inflammatory way.
- covering the head or face with a mask or other similar item
- removing the shirt or covering the head with the shirt.”
Also Read: 5 Top Expensive Transfers in Women’s Football History
Reasons for Giving Players a Yellow Card
Players may be given a yellow card for taking off their shirts for other reasons, including:
i) Being unable to Identify the Player: Squad numbers are used in association football to identify and distinguish players that are on the field.
ii) Political Messages: Some players may take off their shirt to reveal an undershirt with a certain message. Some may be personal, but others may be political as well.
iii) Personal Messages: Similarly, players might remove their shirts to display personal messages, whether it’s a declaration of love, a tribute to someone, or any other personal expression. However, this can distract from the game or violate league rules, leading to sanctions.
iv) Cultural, Religious, or Political Sensitivities: Certain cultures, countries or regions may be more conservative. Usually, these are Islamic countries in the Middle East, where seeing shirtless men on TV may be considered to be offensive.
Also Read: Why Bundesliga Didn’t Recognize Harry Kane’s 4th Hat-trick
Players Who Have been Booked for Taking Off Shirts
The rule also came under scrutiny in 2020 when Lionel Messi was shown a yellow card against Osasuna after revealing a tribute shirt to Diego Maradona who had died.
During the most recent 2022 men’s World Cup, Vincent Aboubakar of Cameroon was shown a second yellow card, and thus sent off, for removing his shirt after scoring the late winning goal against Brazil in a famous 1-0 victory.
Also, Mario Balotelli has been cautioned for celebratory actions on numerous occasions.
One such instance was when he scored against Manchester United, lifting his shirt over his head to reveal a message underneath that read “Why Always Me?”
