When players celebrate by taking off their shirts, everyone knows what’s coming next as the referee waits with a yellow card in hand.
Amad Diallo became the latest player to be cautioned for taking his shirt off, scoring a last-gasp winner against Liverpool before being sent off moments later for his celebration.
The Manchester United winger netted in the final minute of extra time to book the Red Devils’ place at Wembley for the FA Cup semi-finals.
However, moments after delirium at Old Trafford, Diallo was sent straight down the tunnel after being shown his second yellow card of the game for his celebration.
It has led to some questions over whether the rules on cautions for celebrating are fair and should be enforced…
Why do players get booked for taking their shirt off?
Players are shown a yellow card for taking their shirts off due to it being considered an ‘excessive’ celebration.
Law 12 in the IFAB Laws of the Game discusses Fouls and Misconduct with the section stating:
“Players can celebrate when a goal is scored, but the celebration must not be excessive; choreographed celebrations are not encouraged and must not cause excessive time-wasting.
“Leaving the field of play to celebrate a goal is not a cautionable offence but players should return as soon as possible.
“A player must be cautioned, even if the goal is disallowed, for:
- climbing onto a perimeter fence and/or approaching the spectators in a manner which causes safety and/or security issues
- gesturing or acting in a provocative, derisory or inflammatory way
- covering the head or face with a mask or other similar item
- removing the shirt or covering the head with the shirt”
Despite the rules, fans claim that players should not be punished for expressing their joy after scoring, with Diallo’s late winner bringing up the conversation again.
The Ivorian admitted he forgot about already receiving a first yellow card earlier in the game when celebrating against Liverpool.
Speaking post-match, he said: “I forgot the first yellow, so I am very disappointed for that red card.
“But the most important thing for me is to win, and to do it against a big team like Liverpool is a dream… a big, big moment for me.”
He will now miss the FA Cup semi-final that he made Man United reach, serving a suspension received for taking off his shirt.