Gakpo May Face Punishment for Shirt Message in Title-Winning Clash
A Liverpool player could find himself in hot water following his goal celebration at Anfield on Sunday, as he may have breached one of football’s lesser-known regulations.
Cody Gakpo, who netted the Reds’ third goal in their emphatic 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur—a result that clinched Liverpool’s 20th league title and set the stage for a celebratory parade next month—marked his goal by removing his jersey to reveal an undershirt with the phrase “I Belong to Jesus.”
The 25-year-old received an automatic yellow card from referee Thomas Bramall for taking off his shirt, a booking that didn’t seem to dampen the festive atmosphere at Anfield. However, that may not be the end of the consequences for his celebration.
According to The Telegraph, Gakpo could also be penalized under a seldom-enforced Football Association rule banning religious messaging. Law 4 of the FA’s guidelines specifies that players must not display undergarments bearing political, religious, personal slogans or advertisements unrelated to kit manufacturers. Violations can result in sanctions from the relevant football authorities.
As of now, no specific punishment has been announced for Gakpo.
An Overreaction?
While it’s important that all players are held to the same standards and rules exist to prevent controversial or inflammatory messages, it seems excessive that Gakpo might face disciplinary action for a spontaneous expression of faith during a moment of triumph—especially when more serious on-field incidents often go unpunished.
Any potential sanction could range from a fine to a suspension, though the latter would likely carry little consequence with Liverpool having already sealed the title.
This relatively harmless gesture could reignite debates about the application of football’s laws and whether they always serve the spirit of the game. Hopefully, the authorities will handle the situation with a measure of discretion and avoid over-penalizing Gakpo for what was clearly a heartfelt—if technically rule-breaking—celebration.