There were dramatic scenes in stoppage-time during Brazil’s final 2022 World Cup group game against Cameroon on Friday.
Vincent Aboubakar scored a goal in stoppage-time to earn Cameroon a famous victory against the five-time world champions, even though it was not enough to see them through to the knockout stage.
It was a moment to remember for the 30-year-old striker — but he was then sent off by the referee Ismail Elfath.
Aboubakar was booked earlier in the game for a tackle, and then received a second yellow card — and his marching orders — for taking his shirt off during jubilant celebrations.
Sergio Aguero was famously booked by Mike Dean after ripping off his shirt celebrating the iconic goal that won Manchester City the Premier League title in 2012, while England’s Chloe Kelly suffered the same fate as she celebrated England’s win at the most recent Women’s European Championship.
But why are players cautioned for taking off their shirt during football matches?
The Athletic looks into the rule.
2006 – Vincent Aboubakar is the first player to score and be sent off in a World Cup match since Zinedine Zidane vs Italy in the 2006 final. Sign-off. pic.twitter.com/GgPXI31c4R
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 2, 2022
What does the rulebook say?
Receiving a yellow card for taking your shirt off when celebrating has been around in football since 2004, when it was introduced under FIFA’s laws of the game in a bid to clamp down on time-wasting.
Law 12 of IFAB’s ‘Laws of the Game’ 2022-23, which covers “fouls and misconducts”, it states:
“While it is permissible for a player to demonstrate his joy when a goal has been scored, the celebration must not be excessive.
“Reasonable celebrations are allowed, but the practice of choreographed celebrations is not to be encouraged when it results in excessive time-wasting and referees are instructed to intervene in such cases.
“A player must be cautioned if:
- In the opinion of the referee, he makes gestures which are provocative, derisory or inflammatory
- He climbs on to a perimeter fence to celebrate a goal being scored
- He removes his shirt or covers his head with his shirt
- He covers his head or face with a mask or other similar item”
Seeing as Aboubakar already had a yellow card, which he picked up in the 81st minute of the match, he got sent off for taking his shirt off.
Cameroon went off while Brazil advanced as group winners but the Indomitable Lions at least departed in style, their matchwinner’s red card unlikely to have taken too much of the shine of the result.
(Photo: Getty Images)
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FAQs
“Reasonable celebrations are allowed, but the practice of choreographed celebrations is not to be encouraged when it results in excessive time-wasting and referees are instructed to intervene in such cases. And that's why Aboubakar was yellow carded.
Why do you get a yellow card for taking off a shirt? ›
Players are shown a yellow card for taking their shirts off due to it being considered an 'excessive' celebration.
Why was Aboubakar given a yellow card? ›
Aboubakar scored Cameroon's historic winner over Brazil, but already on a yellow, he was sent off for removing his jersey while celebrating.
Why do footballers take their shirts off? ›
Some players use the tradition of taking off their jerseys for their private purposes. Some jerseys even reveal a body with an advertising message or a personal greeting. Religious views were also demonstrated time to time. With a general prohibition to take off the jersey, one tries therefore to stop such messages.
Who got the red card for taking shirt off World Cup? ›
Vincent Aboubakar was shown a red card for taking off his shirt as he celebrated his stoppage time goal for Cameroon against Brazil on Friday.
Why do you get a yellow card for celebrating? ›
The scorer removing his shirt. Since 2004, this is considered Excessive Celebration per FIFA's Laws of the game, and results in a yellow card.
What does wearing a yellow shirt mean? ›
Yellow shirt = enthusiastic, spontaneous and happy.
Who gave 3 yellow cards? ›
One of the occurrences occurred in Germany at the FIFA World Cup of 2006, where referee Graham Poll sent three yellow cards to Josip Simunic, a Croatian defender, during a game.
How many yellow cards did Messi get? ›
Messi has received 104 yellow cards in total: 96 during club competitions and 8 while representing Argentina.
Who got yellow carded 3 times? ›
You can get three yellow cards? Josip Šimunić was famously awarded three yellow cards as Croatia took on Australia.
The so called GPS bras are common in the big football clubs. They're used for the training or test matches. These bras record the movements on the pitch and the physical data. Like this it's easier to analize: how fast is the player, where is he moving to, what is his heart rate like etc.
Why do footballers wear that bra thing? ›
Why are they wearing sports bras?!?!” look like sports bras, but in fact they're athletic vests designed to hold GPS trackers. Those vests need to be skintight so the pod that actually acquires the data – which is slipped into the back of the vest – can monitor players' performance. Hence, the sports bra look.
Is it legal to pull shirts in football? ›
According to the Laws of the Game established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), a player must not remove their shirt during play, including after scoring a goal, as it is considered unsportsmanlike behavior.
Do winners get to keep the World Cup? ›
The Cup used to be kept by the winning team until the final draw of the next tournament, however, that is no longer the case. Instead the winners of the tournament receive a bronze replica which is gold-plated rather than solid gold. Likewise, three-time winners keep the replica instead of the original cup.
Did Beckham get a red card in the World Cup? ›
David Beckham has revealed he has finally watched back his infamous 1998 FIFA World Cup red card during filming for his new documentary. In the Netflix four-part series, titled "Beckham", the football legend looks back at the hateful treatment he received after being sent off during England's match against Argentina.
Who was the only team to win the World Cup wearing red? ›
England's men, captained by Bobby Moore, were clad in their alternative red in 1966 as they beat West Germany (wearing white shirts) 4-2 in the final at Wembley.
Do female footballers get yellow card for taking shirt off? ›
In principle, the same soccer rules apply to both women and men. Women can be punished just like men for exaggerated goal celebrations. So, yes, taking off your jersey is forbidden in women's soccer too.
Why is taking off your shirt a red card? ›
According to the Laws of the Game established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), a player must not remove their shirt during play, including after scoring a goal, as it is considered unsportsmanlike behavior. The referee can issue a yellow or red card, depending on the severity of the offense.
Why do you get a red card for taking your shirt off? ›
The Laws clearly state: 'Removing one's shirt after scoring is unnecessary and players should avoid such excessive displays of joy.
What is the no shirt policy? ›
Is "no shirt no shoes no service" a law? No, there is no U.S. federal law that enforces this rule. However, business owners can still refuse to serve someone without a shirt or shoes. That is because they are allowed to enforce any dress code in their establishment, as long as it is not discriminatory.
