Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi could be punished by the English FA following his goal for Nottingham Forest in their 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Awoniyi was one of the heroes on Sunday, coming off the bench to score and wrap up a dominant 3-0 victory for Nottingham Forest during their trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It was only the second goal of the campaign for the Super Eagles star, who has endured a difficult season marred by injuries and a loss of form. The sheer relief on his face was evident as he found the back of the net.
To celebrate the goal, Awoniyi took off his shirt, ran to the corner flag, and knelt down in an act of worship. Underneath his kit, he wore an undershirt with the words “God is the greatest” boldly written on it.
While Awoniyi’s celebration was a personal expression of faith and gratitude, it is a move that could land him in hot water with the football authorities in England.
The 28-year-old striker was already shown a yellow card for removing his jersey during the match, but he may now face additional sanctions from the English FA.
Why Taiwo Awoniyi Might Be Sanctioned
The Premier League is the most-watched league in the world, and it maintains very strict regulations regarding the use of slogans, statements, images, and advertising on the pitch.
According to the rules — specifically under the equipment regulations followed by the FA and FIFA — players are prohibited from displaying certain messages:
”Equipment must not have any political, religious, or personal slogans, statements, or images. Players must not reveal undergarments that show political, religious, or personal slogans, statements, or images, or advertising other than the manufacturer's logo. For any offense, the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organizer, national football association, or by FIFA.”
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Because Awoniyi’s undershirt contained a religious message, he could be formally charged by the English FA for a breach of these regulations.
A similar, though more charged case occurred in 2018 when Pep Guardiola was fined £20,000 for wearing a yellow ribbon.
The ribbon was considered a political symbol in support of Catalan independence leaders, which violated the FA's kit and advertising regulations.
Fortunately for Awoniyi, his case appears to be less controversial. As it was a personal religious statement rather than a political one, he may receive a smaller fine or perhaps even escape with a formal warning.
