Olawale Ajimotokan
3 July 2009
Lagos — International football body, FIFA has expressed discomfort at the prevailing practice where players display religious slogans printed on their undershirts by reiterating such violates Law Four of the Laws of the Game. In a post-match ritual that lasted a few minutes, Brazilian players removed their shirts, which expressed religious slogans after they came from behind to beat USA 3-2 in the final of the Confederations Cup in South Africa last Sunday.
The FIFA media department exclusively told us during the week that it was viewing this practice with serious concern and would address it soon after we got a message across about the new phonomenon.
Though FIFA claimed that while it had since reminded the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) on the need to abide by the tenet of Law Four of the Game, it softened its stance by saying the Brazilians action took place after the end of the match and not during the match in line with international football rule. Nevertheless, the body conceded that it was monitoring all situations related to religious slogans moreso when the practice could be easily picked by TV cameras and beamed to global audience.
"FIFA is carefully monitoring all situations related to this topic. In the example that you mention, the situation occurred after the conclusion of the match, whereas Law 4 of the Laws of the Game refers to conduct and players' equipment during the match. However, FIFA has reminded CBF (the Brazilian football federation) of the relevant procedures on this matter", FIFA told us through an online mail on Wednesday.
It was in response to players' penchant to celebrate goals by unveiling or completely removing their shirts to reveal political, religious or personal slogans printed on undershirts that prompted FIFA to in 2004 rule that such offence was bookable after the eight-nation International Football Association Board (IFAB), the game's law making body, tabled such proposal in 2002.
FIFA has since placed national football associations under pressure to crack down hard on anyone breaking the legislation. But in spite of that, players still circumvent the rule by lifting their shirts before television and camera to express political and religious messages.
For instance Mali international Fredi Kanoute lifted his shirt to send a message declaring his support for the state of Palestine while playing for Sevilla last season during a Spanish Liga match.
Brazilian player, Kaka is particularly noted for his knack to show the 'I belong to Jesus' slogan coined on his undershirt while similar declarations have been copied by fellow Brazilians and players from countries that profess similar faith.
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