
Cody Gakpo to be sent a FA warning for unveiling 'I belong to Jesus' vest after scoring in Liverpool's thumping 5-1 title-sealing win over Tottenham
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo is set to be reminded of the Football Association's rules after his goal celebration in their 5-1 win over Tottenham.
The 25-year-old scored the Reds' third of the afternoon at Anfield as they sealed the Premier League title.
Upon scoring, the Netherlands international took off his shirt to reveal a vest that bore the message 'I belong to Jesus'. He also displayed it at full-time amid the jubilant title-winning scenes.
The vest's message and its font resembled that of AC Milan legend Kaka when he celebrated the Italian giant's triumph over Liverpool in the 2007 Champions League final.
Gakpo was booked for removing his jersey and will now be warned by the FA too.
As per the International Football Association Board (IFAB) laws of the game - which the FA follows - one rule 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.
'For any offence the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA.'
The warning comes five months after Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi faced no formal action from the Football Association despite wearing an adapted rainbow armband for the second time.
The player and the club had been reminded of FA kit regulations after he wore an armband saying 'I love Jesus' against Newcastle on November 30.
He then wore one stating 'Jesus loves you' against Ipswich on Tuesday night, but the FA will still not take action on December 3.
The club and the player were again reminded of kit regulations, which state that the appearance on, or incorporation in, any item of clothing, football boots or other equipment, of any religious message is prohibited under Rule A4.
Captains had been wearing rainbow armbands in those two rounds of Premier League matches as part of the Rainbow Laces campaign, which offers support to the LGBTQ+ community in football and beyond.
The Portman Road clash was also notable for the decision of Ipswich Town skipper Sam Morsy to refuse to wear the rainbow armband altogether - who had done the same the previous weekend too.
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