Cody Gakpo & Mohamed Salah’s Goal Celebrations Under Scrutiny: Will FA Issue a Sanction?

Redaksi Selasa, April 29, 2025 Comment

Goal celebrations are often one of the most exciting parts of a football match. But sometimes, those celebrations can stir up controversy. That’s exactly what’s happening to two of Liverpool’s star players, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah, following their team’s massive 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League last weekend.

The victory should’ve been a moment of pure joy for Liverpool and its fans. However, the unique goal celebrations by Gakpo and Salah quickly caught public attention. Gakpo, in particular, is now facing potential punishment from the Football Association (FA) due to the message he revealed on his undershirt.

After scoring Liverpool’s third goal, Cody Gakpo appeared visibly emotional. He took off his jersey to reveal a white undershirt with the message “I Belong to Jesus.” At first glance, it may seem like a personal expression of faith. But according to FA regulations, that kind of message can actually be a violation.

Based on Law 4 in the FA’s official rulebook, players are prohibited from showing political, religious, or personal slogans or messages on their undergarments during matches. Even promotional logos (aside from the kit manufacturer) are strictly banned.

“Equipment must not have any political, religious, or personal slogans, statements or images. Players and/or teams could be subject to sanctions from the competition organizer, national football association, or even FIFA,” the regulation states.

Although the FA has not yet made an official announcement regarding Gakpo, many are starting to wonder whether the Dutch striker will face disciplinary action. The situation brings back memories of Kaka’s legendary celebration for AC Milan in the 2007 Champions League Final—coincidentally also against Liverpool—when he wore a shirt with a similar message.

Mohamed Salah also made headlines with his unexpected goal celebration. After scoring Liverpool’s fourth goal, the Egyptian forward skipped his usual sujud (prostration) celebration. Instead, he grabbed a Google Pixel phone from a club staff member behind the goal and took a selfie with fans in the Anfield stands.

As it turns out, there’s an interesting story behind the selfie moment. In his post-match interview, Salah said he wanted to create something memorable.

“I usually take photos with the goal scorer at the beginning of the season. So this time, I thought, why not take one myself? It’s a memory that will last forever,” Salah told BBC Sport.

However, his selfie sparked speculation among fans and analysts alike. Many netizens believe that the selfie may have been a subtle form of guerrilla marketing for Google, which happens to be an official Liverpool sponsor.

Especially since the phone Salah used was a Google Pixel, and the moment was clearly captured during the live broadcast. Although there hasn’t been any official confirmation from the club or Google, this only added fuel to the theory that the whole moment was pre-planned.

These incidents involving Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah raise interesting questions about the fine line between self-expression and official football regulations. On one hand, players certainly have the right to express their emotions, beliefs, and joy after scoring. On the other, the rules are there to ensure that the game stays fair and professional.

In Gakpo’s case, while his intention seemed positive and faith-driven, the FA’s rules are clear in preventing any form of religious display to avoid potential conflict among different groups.

As for Salah, even though the selfie appeared lighthearted and fun, using a sponsor’s product during a live broadcast might cross a line—especially if it wasn’t approved by league authorities.

Naturally, social media has been buzzing about both goal celebrations. Some fans praised Gakpo for his spiritual conviction, while others pointed out the importance of following the rules.

Salah’s selfie, meanwhile, received tons of praise for being iconic and unforgettable—but a few critics voiced concern about hidden commercial motives.

As of now, the FA has yet to release an official statement regarding either incident. Still, considering the potential violations, Gakpo might face a fine or at least a warning. Salah, on the other hand, may avoid punishment—depending on whether the selfie is deemed a breach of any rules.

At the end of the day, football is a stage for emotions and personal moments, but players are still bound by the structure and guidelines of the sport.

Liverpool might be celebrating a huge win over Spurs, but the stories behind Gakpo and Salah’s celebrations remind us that under the bright lights and roaring crowds, the game still has its boundaries.

Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah have certainly created unforgettable moments—whether they’ll be remembered as bold expressions or rule-breaking acts, we’ll just have to wait for the FA’s official decision.

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