Yellow cards for taking off your jersey in celebration of a goal? The legendary Diego Forlán seems to be responsible for the nonsensical rule

Scoring a goal brings with it huge emotions. For a long time, football has been celebrated by taking off the jersey. But it’s been more than 15 years since the famous celebration began to be punished with a yellow card. What very likely led to this?

Every football fan already knows this scenario. A player scores a goal, takes off his jersey in emotion and then has to accept receiving a yellow card. Standard today, but previously unthinkable.

The celebration of taking off the jersey in football has existed since time immemorial, for a long time there was no problem with it. It didn’t bother FIFA either. But what has changed?

The year was 2002, Diego Forlán was a Manchester United player. Yes, he didn’t fulfil the potential he showed in his jersey later in his career, but he did some nice stunts.

One of those exhibition goals for the Red Devils was undoubtedly the one against Southampton, after which the Uruguayan legend took off his jersey. At the time, still unpunished. But unfortunately, there was a comical situation that FIFA couldn’t quite get over.

For as quickly as Forlán managed to take off his jersey in celebration, he was slow to put it back on. When the opponent made the kick-off after the goal, the Uruguayan only had his jersey in his hand. What’s more, he even got involved in the game and defended the opponent’s attack.

In short, a comical situation that made many people smile. However, it went viral and FIFA felt insulted, offended. The video of a “scantily clad” Forlán became a hit, which caused great controversy.

So FIFA began to wonder what was wrong with this celebration. And of course, there were several things. That’s why, in 2004, a rule was officially put into practice that a yellow card would be issued for taking off the jersey.

It can’t officially be said that Forlán was actually to blame. However, we can find many theories according to which this is the case.

And what are the arguments for this nonsensical rule? One of them is the fact that it is supposed to be unsporting behaviour. But beyond that, FIFA defends it on the grounds that it prevents time-wasting.

Many players then do not take off their jersey completely, they just have text underneath with whatever subtext or message they want to convey to the world. However, even showing it results in a penalty. FIFA thus wants to prevent attempts to bring politics into football. How successful this is, however, is for everyone to judge.

Source: Manchester United, FIFA, Goleador