Liverpool attacker Cody Gakpo
Liverpool attacker Cody Gakpo is at risk of being sanctioned by the English Football Association for displaying a vest with a religious message during his team’s 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on April 27, 2025.
The Netherlands international scored the third goal and, after the game, took off his shirt to reveal a vest that bore the message ‘I belong to Jesus.’
The player was booked for removing his jersey, as it breaches a rule.
According to the International Football Association Board (IFAB) laws of the game which the FA follows, the player could face sanction.
“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 offense, the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organizer, national football association, or FIFA,” the rule read.
Having flouted the regulations, the English FA will decide whether to remind the player about the rule and warn him or sanction him.
Some concerned football fans have questioned the regulation, as captains had been wearing rainbow armbands in previous rounds of Premier League matches as part of the Rainbow Laces campaign, which offers support to the LGBTQ+ community in football and beyond.
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