Liverpool’s victory over Tottenham secured the Premier League title, but the celebrations by Cody Gakpo could have him in trouble.
The Dutch star’s decision to reveal a religious message during his goal celebration has thrust him into the spotlight for reasons beyond his on-pitch heroics.
The Reds were unstoppable at Anfield, overturning an early strike from Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke with a ruthless first-half display. Luis Diaz levelled the score, Alexis Mac Allister fired a stunning effort, and Gakpo added a clinical third before the break. Mohamed Salah’s second-half goal and an own goal from Destiny Udogie sealed a commanding win, confirming Liverpool’s title triumph with four games to spare.
Gakpo’s goal, his 17th across all competitions in the 2024/25 season, was a moment of brilliance. After beating two defenders and slotting the ball past Tottenham’s goalkeeper, he lifted his shirt to reveal an undershirt bearing the words “I Belong to Jesus.”
The celebration, a nod to Brazilian legend Kaka’s iconic gesture in the 2007 Champions League final, drew a yellow card from referee Tom Bramall and has ignited debate over FA regulations.
According to Law 4 of the International Football Association Board’s Laws of the Game, players are prohibited from displaying political, religious, or personal slogans. The rule states: “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 offence, the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA.”
Gakpo’s actions have put him at risk of further disciplinary action, with the FA yet to confirm their stance.
The incident has reignited discussions about the FA’s enforcement of such rules. In November 2024, shadow education minister Neil O’Brien criticised the FA for what he called a “two-tier mess” in their handling of similar cases.
O’Brien highlighted the FA’s reminders to Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, a devout Christian, for writing “I love Jesus” and “Jesus loves you” on his rainbow armband during the Premier League’s LGBTQ+ campaign.
Meanwhile, Ipswich Town’s Muslim captain Sam Morsy faced no action for opting not to wear the armband. O’Brien said: “People criticised Sam Morsy for not wearing a rainbow armband. The club said he was a Muslim, that was the end of it. What a total two-tier mess.”
Guehi defended his actions at the time, saying: “The message was just a message of truth and love and inclusivity. I don’t think the message was harmful in any way. I believe 100% in the words that I wrote. It’s a message of truth and love, and I hope people can understand that my faith is my faith, and I’ll stand by it for the rest of my life.”
Gakpo, who has previously spoken about the importance of his faith, has not directly addressed the celebration. In a 2023 interview with The Athletic, he said: “My religion helps not only my career but my whole life. It’s a lifestyle kind of thing for me. I take the Bible with me every day, whether it’s in the UK or wherever else.”
His undershirt message was celebrated by some fans on X, with posts praising his boldness. One user wrote: “Cody Gakpo scores and shows ‘I Belong to Jesus’ to millions. This is incredible!” Another added: “What a day. Liverpool win the league, and Gakpo celebrates with faith. You can make a difference in your sphere.”
Liverpool have not issued an official statement on the matter, but manager Arne Slot praised his team’s performance in a post-match interview, saying: “The players showed incredible focus and quality to deliver this title. We wanted to do it for the fans, and we did it in style.” Gakpo also took to X after the match, posting: “Champions! So proud of this team and our fans. God is good.”
As the FA deliberates, the focus for Liverpool remains their historic triumph. For Gakpo, however, the celebration that defined his contribution to the title win may yet carry consequences. Football fans will watch closely to see how the FA navigate this delicate balance between rules and personal expression.
