Question Number: 30981

Law 4 - The Players Equipment 10/30/2016

RE: Pro Adult

Gerrard Barnes of Belfast, Antrim Northern Ireland asks...

If a player removes his shirt after celebrating his goal, but underneath that shirt he has another, identical shirt with all numbers, badges etc, does he still get booked?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Gerrard,
well he likely will be sweating a great deal so lets cut him some slack! Lol
Seriously I have no real idea. He is likely to get cautioned given the LOTG specifically request we do so but it is just as likely to get a laugh at the same time. I certainly do not suggest it be done as it serves zero interests.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Gerrard
It is a caution for me. The Laws state that **a player must be cautioned for removing the shirt or covering the head with the shirt**. IFAB uses the words *the shirt* so the shirt worn by the player must not be removed.
Also the lawmaker and referees do not take too kindly to circumvention. So a referee who cautions for this should it ever happen will be supported in doing so. Personally I do not think a player is going to go to all that bother of a replica shirt to remove a shirt in a celebration. More likely a T-shirt underneath with a message or a slogan which is also a caution