Football is built on passion. From the roar of the crowd to the eruption of teammates when the ball hits the back of the net, scoring a goal is the most emotional moment in the sport.
Players often express this joy in spontaneous ways—sliding on their knees, running toward fans, or lifting their arms in triumph.
Yet one specific form of celebration has been officially outlawed: removing the shirt. Whenever a player takes off their jersey after scoring, the referee must show a yellow card.
To casual fans, this may feel absurd. Why should pure joy be punished with the same sanction given for cynical fouls or dissent? The reasoning behind this rule is layered, combining issues of discipline, time management, cultural sensitivities, and the need to preserve the game’s image.
Origins of the shirt removal ban
The regulation is contained within Law 12 of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) Laws of the Game, which governs fouls and misconduct. The rule was formally introduced in 2004 after a series of debates within FIFA and IFAB.
Prior to that, referees often had discretion to deal with what they considered excessive celebrations. Some referees tolerated shirt removal, while others saw it as disruptive.
By 2004, football’s lawmakers decided the game needed a clear, consistent stance. The shirt removal ban was introduced globally, and referees were instructed to apply it strictly. Since then, any player who pulls off their shirt or covers their head with it during a celebration is automatically cautioned. Even if the goal is later ruled out, the yellow card still stands.
Unsporting behavior and discipline
The foundation of the rule lies in the concept of unsporting behavior. Law 12 empowers referees not only to punish fouls but also to sanction misconduct—actions that disrupt fair play or the spirit of the game.
Removing the shirt falls into this category because it is considered excessive, theatrical, and potentially provocative.
Football’s laws recognize that celebrations are part of the game. Players are allowed to express joy, but the line is drawn at acts that delay the restart of play or risk inflaming tensions.
Shirt removal, by design, slows things down. A player who takes off their jersey wastes valuable seconds, forcing officials to wait before the game can continue.
Time-wasting and match control
The sport’s governing bodies are increasingly focused on minimizing wasted time. In recent years, new rules have been implemented to add stoppage time more accurately, and referees are encouraged to penalize time-wasting strictly.
Shirt removal during a celebration is categorized as an unnecessary delay.
While it may seem trivial, multiplied across matches and competitions, small delays accumulate. By mandating a caution, IFAB makes it clear that goal celebrations cannot come at the cost of disrupting the flow of the game.
Preventing hidden messages and political displays
Another major factor behind the rule is the prevention of unsanctioned messages. When players remove their jerseys, they often reveal undershirts with slogans, dedications, or political statements.
Some might be harmless tributes to loved ones, while others could be political, religious, or commercial in nature.
Football’s global authorities are keen to avoid the sport being used as a stage for political or commercial promotion.
The shirt removal ban reduces the likelihood of players exploiting moments of high visibility to make statements that could divide fans, provoke opponents, or breach sponsorship rules.
Cultural sensitivities around shirt removal
Cultural factors also played a role in the introduction of the rule. In some parts of the world, stripping off one’s shirt in public is seen as disrespectful or offensive. Football is a global game, played and watched across vastly different cultures and traditions.
By creating a universal ban, the lawmakers ensured the sport avoided regional controversies. What might be accepted in Europe or South America could cause offense in parts of Asia, the Middle East, or Africa.
The universal application of the rule removes ambiguity and ensures that referees do not have to make culturally sensitive judgments in the middle of a heated match.
Historical cases that shaped the rule
Before the rule became standardized, there were incidents that highlighted the complications of shirt removal. One early example often cited is Faustino Asprilla, who once celebrated by placing his shirt on a corner flag.
The referee, having warned players beforehand, booked him. Asprilla later admitted that he neglected to inform his teammates of the referee’s warning, and the incident led to debate about consistency in officiating.
Other notable cases included bookings in European competitions in the 1990s, such as Claudio Bellucci being cautioned after celebrating bare-chested.
These moments revealed how shirt removal celebrations could cause unnecessary controversy, prompting the governing bodies to eliminate the grey area entirely.
Modern-day controversies
Despite its clarity, the rule still sparks debate when it leads to dramatic consequences. A recent high-profile case involved Manchester United’s Amad Diallo, who scored a last-minute winner in an FA Cup tie and removed his shirt in euphoria.
Already on a yellow card, Diallo’s celebration earned him a second booking, and he was sent off.
His teammate Bruno Fernandes criticized the rule publicly, saying players should not be punished for showing pure joy. Incidents like this reignite discussions about whether the law is too strict and whether referees should have more discretion in emotional moments.
Other celebrations that draw yellow cards
Shirt removal is not the only celebration that can earn a caution. Players can also be booked for climbing onto fences to interact with fans, making provocative gestures, or wearing masks and disguises.
These actions, like shirt removal, are seen as excessive or potentially unsafe.
The common thread is the principle of keeping celebrations joyful but controlled, avoiding anything that could delay play, provoke confrontation, or endanger participants.