Question Number: 35388

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/17/2024

RE: Amateur Adult

nick hills of pontefract, yorks United Kingdom asks...

If a player is wearing 2 club shirts,both identical,is it still a booking if he takes 1 off in celebration?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Nick
Yes it is still an offence to remove the shirt or covering the head with the shirt after scoring a goal even if there is an identical shirt underneath.

Having said that a covert removal might get missed yet we know that it is rarely covert celebrations with players waving a shirt about above the head. I believe I have seen players retrieve a match jersey for a celebration rather than removing their own.

In the Man Utd v Leverpool FA Cup game a Utd player was dismissed for a 2nd caution for removing his shirt at a goal celebration. He had a full size red undershirt on yet that made no difference

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Nick
technically yes caution.
I was never sure why if considered an excess celebration or a form of disrespect to certain cultures and exposing chest flesh. I noted it became a big deal when the woman started doing it lol
However, truth be told truth at grassroots likely laugh my butt off! He could simply say he was hot and just removing the extra covering if indeed it was an exact match below.
Cheers