Okay, a few provisos to that question before we get into it…
First of all, it is only in the last five years (so since the 2012/13 league kicked off), and only in relation to the Top 5 European leagues, so that’s the Premiership, Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A and Ligue1.
Got it? Okay, start guessing while we pump you full of facts.
FIFA always had the “going shirtless equals yellow card” rule, but doubled down on it in 2003, with some wishy-washy reasoning about referee’s finding it difficult to take down the number of the player who had just scored a goal and was now celebrating naked from the waist up.
Even more interestingly are the conspiracy theories about the suddenly harshened rule, which include offending other countries (which apparently doesn’t apply when they swap jerseys at the end of the game?), sponsors getting annoyed that viewers can’t see their name on the player’s back at the most opportune moment, and the possibility of a player having a political message hidden underneath their kit to be exposed when all eyes are on them.
Still guessing? Okay, hint: he’s been booked SEVEN times in five years for the “excessive celebration”…
… and he plays for Liverpool …
and his name is Roberto Firmino.
Image via Reddit
But as long as he keep scoring goals like these, we can’t imagine any fans caring how many yellow cards he gets.
Clip via Anfield Legend
