Arsenal: Wright wants to abolish the retired shirt rule

A player scores the winning goal late in the match, lifts their jersey, and sends it flying into the stands to the cheers of the crowd. A classic scene, yet one that almost always ends the same way: the referee brandishes a yellow card. A sanction that, according to Ian Wright, former Arsenal legend and striker, is unjustified and undermines the emotion of football.

To put an end to this rule, Wright has teamed up with Gillette for the "Shirt-Off" campaign. The goal? To abolish the automatic yellow card given to players who remove their jerseys after scoring a goal. This initiative is based on a simple observation: this sanction harms no one, except perhaps the egos of certain referees or officials. Yet the rule has existed for 30 years, officially written into the regulations in 2004. Fans, meanwhile, clearly express their disapproval every time a player is penalized, as evidenced by the boos echoing through stadiums. The rule against removing jerseys is often criticized for its absurdity. It prohibits players from celebrating a goal in an "excessive" manner, without clearly defining what that term means. According to the IFAB (International Football Association Board), this measure aims to prevent provocations against the opposing team or political messages. Yet for Wright and Gillette, it runs counter to the spirit of football: celebrating passion and joy. Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool striker, experienced this firsthand last season. After scoring the winning goal in the League Cup against Southampton, he received a second yellow card for removing his jersey, resulting in a sending-off. A decision that left fans and observers baffled.

A petition to amplify the fans' voice

Gillette has launched a petition titled “Worth Celebrating,” inviting football fans to support the abolition of this rule. If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, the company will send an open letter to the IFAB formally requesting the removal of the sanction. The goal is clear: to restore players’ freedom to express their joy without fear of repercussions. Wright, a strong advocate for this campaign, sums up the fight this way: “Can we finally get rid of this ridiculous shirt-off rule and bring back some passion and joy to football? Sometimes players get sent off for two yellow cards, one of which is for taking off their shirt! I hope fans will rally behind this petition and help us bring the joy back to goal celebrations.” The petition is available online, and the GilletteLabs BODY + INTIMATE range is sold in major retailers and on the company’s official website.