Cody Gakpo and Liverpool have been reminded of the FA's rules after the forward displayed a religious message during Sunday's win over Tottenham Hotspur
Cody Gakpo has been reminded by the Football Association (FA) about the organisation's rules after removing his shirt to display a religious message. The event happened after the Liverpool forward scored during Sunday's 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur as the club went on to claim the Premier League title.
The Dutch international struck the third goal for the Reds before the half-time whistle, latching on to a failed clearance before setting himself and firing through the crowd into the bottom left corner. He ran off towards supporters in the lower Anfield Road stand and removed his shirt to reveal a white vest with black text printed on the front reading 'I belong to Jesus'.
Gakpo is a pentecostal christian who often shares bible verses on social media. The vest itself was also a replica of the one Brazilian legend Kaka wore whilst celebrating AC Milan's 2007 Champions League final victory over Liverpool in Athens.
But the religious message could have seen him punished by the game's authorities with IFAB’s (The International Football Association Board) laws - which are used by the FA - of the game prohibiting such statements on equipment worn during matches.
"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.
"For any offence the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA," the relevant section, Rule A4, of the FA's Law 4 reads.
The ECHO understands the FA have written to both Gakpo and Liverpool to remind him of the game's kit and advertising regulations but will stop short of making a formal charge this time.
What will not change is the fact that the 25-year-old was shown a yellow card by referee Tom Bramall for the removal of his Liverpool shirt during the game in which the club became Premier League champions.
The FA's Law 12 covering fouls and misconduct states: "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."
The rules add that a player must be cautioned, even if the goal is disallowed, for: