Liverpool Star at Risk of Punishment for Goal Celebration

In what was a momentous day for Liverpool fans, the Reds demolished Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 at Anfield on Sunday to secure the Premier League title for the 2024/25 season.

However, the celebrations following their thumping victory have sparked controversy, with both Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah drawing attention for their goal celebrations.

While the 5-1 result was a cause for unbridled joy and relief, one celebration in particular, from Dutch forward Cody Gakpo, may have landed him in hot water with the Football Association (FA). And despite Salah’s usual antics, which have become something of a trademark this season, some eyebrows were raised by his choice of equipment. It’s safe to say the final whistle not only signaled the end of the game but potentially marked the start of a new controversy for these two influential players.

Cody Gakpo’s Controversial Celebration: “I Belong to Jesus”

After scoring Liverpool’s third goal in their dominant 5-1 win, Gakpo peeled off his shirt to reveal an undershirt that read “I Belong to Jesus” — a message that caught the attention of both fans and officials. While Gakpo’s passion was clear, and his gesture was undoubtedly heartfelt, the FA’s regulations on player attire might bring unwanted consequences for the Dutch forward.

According to Law 4 in the FA’s handbook, which governs the regulations for player equipment: “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.” This means that Gakpo’s celebratory vest, bearing a religious message, is in direct violation of the rules.

The FA takes such breaches seriously. In fact, any player or team that violates this rule is liable to face sanctions from the competition organiser, national football associations, or even FIFA. Whether or not Gakpo will be punished for this incident is yet to be determined, but with the FA’s strict stance on religious and personal statements, it would be surprising if the 25-year-old wasn’t at least given a warning.

It’s worth noting that Gakpo may have drawn inspiration from Kaka, the Brazilian football legend, who famously wore a vest with the same slogan following his victory in the 2007 UEFA Champions League final with AC Milan. However, despite the noble intentions behind the message, the law remains clear, and the FA may view this as a violation that must be addressed.

Mohamed Salah’s Selfie Celebration: Is It a Marketing Move?

Mohamed Salah celebrated with a selfie / Carl Recine/GettyImages

While Gakpo’s choice of clothing is in the spotlight, Mohamed Salah’s celebration has also garnered attention — albeit for different reasons. The Egyptian winger is no stranger to celebrations that capture the imagination of fans. This time, Mohamed Salah did something that was almost as unique as his goalscoring abilities. After netting Liverpool’s fourth goal, Mohamed Salah decided to take a selfie with the Anfield crowd.

His explanation for the celebration was shared after the match: “At the beginning of the season, I always take selfies with players [who score], so for this one I said: ‘OK, I have to think of something special because it’s a picture that’s going to be there forever,’” he told BBC Sport.

The act of taking selfies with fans or teammates has become somewhat of a trend in recent years, but Salah’s particular use of a Google Pixel phone raised a few eyebrows. The device was handed to Salah by a club employee positioned near the goal, and while the gesture appeared to be a spontaneous moment of joy, some have speculated that it may have been more calculated than it first seemed.

Given Liverpool’s partnership with Google — one of their official sponsors — some fans and pundits quickly pointed out the possibility of this being a piece of guerrilla marketing. There was no denying the visibility the tech giant would receive if Salah’s celebratory moment, complete with the Google logo prominently displayed, went viral.

But despite these theories, it’s unlikely Mohamed Salah will face any repercussions. FIFA and the FA have long turned a blind eye to celebrations involving sponsor-related paraphernalia, provided they are not overtly commercial in nature. If this was indeed a planned marketing collaboration between Liverpool and Google, it would not violate any of the governing body’s rules, though it still raises questions about the growing intersection of football and commercial interests.

The Growing Role of Social Media and Marketing in Football Celebrations

Salah’s selfie celebration isn’t an isolated case in the current footballing landscape. With social media playing an ever-increasing role in football, it’s not surprising that players are beginning to leverage their moments in the spotlight for brand and sponsor partnerships. From Cristiano Ronaldo’s “sponsored” goal celebrations to Lionel Messi’s use of social platforms, footballers are more mindful than ever of how their celebrations can impact their public image and marketability.

It’s clear that in an age where every goal, assist, and moment of brilliance is captured on camera and uploaded to various social media platforms in an instant, players are keen to make their mark. Whether it’s via a unique goal celebration or a clever interaction with the crowd, these moments are now part of a larger narrative — one that blends sport with marketing, brand partnerships, and personal expression.

Will Cody Gakpo Be Punished?

Liverpool star ‘faces’ FA punishment over celebration in ‘Premier League title party’ amid ‘two-tier mess’

For Cody Gakpo, the question remains: will the FA take action over his “I Belong to Jesus” undershirt? While there are no guarantees, it would not be surprising if the FA decided to issue a warning or a fine. Given that religious expressions in football have often led to disciplinary measures in the past, including bans for players like Fabio Kaka and Timothy Fosu-Mensah for similar infringements, Gakpo may well be subject to the same scrutiny.

Ultimately, this situation highlights a broader issue in modern football — the delicate balance between personal expression and the rules set forth by governing bodies. Players, like Gakpo, should be able to celebrate their faith or identity in a positive way, but they must also respect the boundaries established by the sport’s regulators.

Salah and the Future of Football Marketing

As for Salah, while his selfie celebration might not face any official scrutiny, it opens up a broader conversation about the relationship between football and corporate sponsorships. The line between sport and commerce continues to blur, and it will be fascinating to see how much more players and sponsors can influence each other in the years to come.

For now, however, Salah’s playful selfie, combined with his undeniable importance to Liverpool’s success, remains one of the standout moments of an unforgettable victory. Whether it was a spontaneous act or a clever marketing strategy, Salah’s celebration was undeniably memorable — and in the world of modern football, that’s often all that matters.

Conclusion: A Day of Celebration, Controversy, and Commercialism

Sunday’s 5-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur was a triumph on multiple levels for Liverpool. The Reds clinched their Premier League title, with standout performances from their key players, including Gakpo and Salah. However, as with most moments of glory in modern football, there was an undercurrent of controversy surrounding the celebrations.

Cody Gakpo may face disciplinary action for his religious-themed undershirt, while Salah’s selfie celebration, complete with a Google Pixel phone, might prompt discussions about the increasing commercial influence in football. Regardless of the outcome, both celebrations ensured that Liverpool’s title-winning day was one for the history books, in more ways than one.