The FA has confirmed it has written to Cody Gakpo following his celebration during Liverpool’s win over Tottenham on Sunday, with the player avoiding further punishment.
The Netherlands international was on the scoresheet during the 5-1 win over Spurs at Anfield, and removed his shirt in celebration to reveal the message ‘I belong to Jesus’ on a vest underneath. He also displayed it during the celebrations after the game as Liverpool was confirmed as the Premier League champion.
Reports on Tuesday suggested that Gakpo could face punishment from the FA as a result, with the forward in breach of the governing body’s guidelines on religious messages.
Liverpool.com has contacted the FA, with a spokesperson confirming that the body has written to Gakpo to remind him that the appearance on – or incorporation in – any item of clothing, football boots or other equipment of any religious message is prohibited as stated in Rule A4 of the kit and advertising regulations.
The FA has also confirmed that no further action will be taken, meaning Gakpo will avoid any punishment for his message.
Law 4 of the International Football Association Board’s Laws of the Game states: “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.
(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“For any offence the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by Fifa.”
The incident comes five months after the FA twice sent reminders to Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi after he wrote the messages “I love Jesus” and “Jesus loves you” on his rainbow armband during the annual tie-in with the Premier League and LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall.
Gakpo’s celebration mirrored that of Brazilian forward Kaka, who revealed the same message as the Dutchman after beating Liverpool in the 2007 Champions League final with AC Milan.
Learn more
With Gakpo avoiding any further punishment, he will be available to play for Liverpool in its next game, with the Reds facing Chelsea on Sunday for the first time as Premier League champions.
“It’s amazing,” Gakpo said about Liverpool’s title win on Sunday.
“We worked really hard this year. [We have had] special moments, lesser moments in the Champions League, but to get this is amazing.
“The Dutch impact, I think you guys saw it already. Virgil [van Dijk] is here already a long time, but this year Ryan [Gravenberch] is playing like how we knew him in Holland, he played that here.
“It’s amazing to see him play like this and obviously the coach tactically brought the whole team to another level and I think that suits the players we have now. Hopefully we can gear up a little more in the next few years, but it’s a good start.”
