FIFA have today banned players from showing any messages under their jerseys at the 2014 World Cup and for the rest of football’s eternity it seems without facing punishment.
Secretary general Jerome Valcke announced the news that from June 1st footballers won’t be allowed to display messages underneath their shirt.
“From now on there can be no slogan or image whatsoever on undergarments even good-natured ones. This will apply from 1 June and be in force for the World Cup,” said Valcke.
The result was forthcoming during an IFAB meeting, the International FA Board, in Zurich. At the meeting various other ideas and suggestions were made to FIFA.
One in particular was UEFA’s recommendation that the punishment where a player gives away a penalty, then receives a red card and is forced to serve a suspension be reviewed.
However this was rejected by the IFAB despite UEFA president Michel Platini stating that the current punishment is too much.
FIFA’s decision to stop players celebrating by revealing a t-shirt underneath their jersey with a message is a great shame, although it is to stop any protest messagers.
However endearing slogans like ‘Happy Birthday’ to a friend or ‘R.I.P’ will certainly be missed.
