During the festivities surrounding Liverpool’s second Premier League title, Cody Gakpo may face retrospective sanctions if found guilty of violating a lesser-known football regulation, as reported by The Telegraph.
Meanwhile, Reds manager Arne Slot made history by becoming the fifth individual to secure the Premier League trophy in his inaugural season, following a 5-1 victory at home against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, which ignited celebrations at Anfield.
Their 61,376-seater, widely regarded as one of the greatest stadiums in Premier League history, was rampant from minute one at the prospect of winning the lot with four games left to play – and Gakpo’s celebrations could be reprimanded.
The Dutchman, who scored his side’s third of the afternoon against the north Londoners, celebrated by removing his Liverpool strip to reveal a vest bearing the message:
“I Belong to Jesus” – a slogan that could now land him in hot water.Sparking instant comparisons to the legendary Kaka, whose memorable gesture after AC Milan’s 2007 Champions League final win over none other than Liverpool in Athens as he lifted his shirt to display the very same slogan.
As a result, referee Thomas Bramall issued a mandatory yellow card – but further punishment could be on the cards for the 25-year-old, according to The Telegraph, as the handbook leaves very little room for ambiguity regarding displays of religion.
According to Law 4 of the International Football Association Board’s Laws of the Game, players and/or teams are strictly prohibited from showcasing any political, religious, or personal messages on their clothing.
The rule states:“Equipment must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images.
Players must not reveal undergarments that show political, religious, personal slogans, statements or images, or advertising other than the manufacturer’s logo.”The little-known regulation concludes:
“For any offence the player and/or team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA.
”MixCollage-27-Apr-2025-06-40-PM-8473RelatedLip Reader Reveals What Trent Alexander-Arnold Said to John Henry After Liverpool 5-1 SpursAs things stand, the FA are reported to be reviewing Gakpo’s incident and, therefore, could come to the conclusion that a retrospective ban – and a potential additional sanction – could be to come.
That said, he will be in action against Chelsea on May 4.
Gakpo’s incident comes almost five months after Crystal Palace captain – and devout Christian – Marc Guehi was reminded twice for writing “I love Jesus” and “Jesus loves you” on his rainbow armband during the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign.