The Premier League is considering sanctions for players whose goal celebrations are deemed to harm the game’s reputation or risk provoking opposition fans or players.
This move follows criticism of some celebrations, with many feeling that certain actions crossed the line into mocking opponents.
Iliman Ndiaye was booked for flapping his arms like a seagull after scoring Everton’s winner against Brighton, while Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly mimicked Erling Haaland’s ‘zen’ celebration in a 5-1 win over Manchester City, though he received no punishment.
Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy has previously mimicked an eagle after scoring against Crystal Palace and taunted Tottenham fans following Leicester’s 2-1 victory last month, with no cautions issued for either.
This season, Phil Foden (Manchester City) and Joshua Zirkzee (Manchester United) pretended to fire guns into the crowd after scoring, but neither was punished.
“There’s a balance. We all enjoy celebrations, and some have been very entertaining, but there’s a line,” said Tony Scholes, the Premier League’s chief football officer. “Once it crosses into mockery or criticism, we would need to address it.”
