Shirt Lifters

[broomhillblade]

Who was the first player to remove his shirt during a game? My guess is it was in the late 60s or 1970s, probably in a World Cup match or some other high-profile game. Funny how the game managed without disrobing for more than 100 years. Then some Johnny Foreigner whips off his shirt and everyone follows suit. Even the kids in the parks do it now.

This business of having a message underneath is very tacky - no matter what the reason is. If I had my way I'd bring in a mandatory red card for any stripping off during the game.

I'd make an exception for women's football, however. Removal of shirts following a goal would be mandatory.

 

[uniblade]

remember ravanelli used to put his shirt over his head

before that my mind goes blank

 

[oaklandrdblade]

Is that really Sepp Blatter? ;-)

 

[moDtheGod]

I never understood it. If I had scored a goal, I'd want to show the fans that I was passionate about scoring for the club. I'd probably gesture to the badge or something, rather than completely disrespect the club by chucking it's shirt to the ground.

Revealing a shirt underneath with a message, I get. Removing the shirt completely, for no apparent reason, absolutely baffles me.

 

[Billyblade]

Justin Fashanu?

 

[SwissBlade]

I've never had an issue with spontaneous goal celebrations. Its the planned ones that do my head in - like revealing a T Shirt or doing the Baby arms thing or Lee Sharpe noncing around the corner flag.

Football demands a lot of discipline from players nowadays, especially controlling their tempers and not surrounding referees so the one emotion that you want to allow is when a player does something like rip his shirt off or do a Ketsbaia and kick the advertising hoardings.

When we score the whole team seems to end up together, no individuals just a mob of players in a Team. The thing I also like is when the players are wandering back to the half way line and they turn and punch the air to the Kop. BT was great for this and Morgs does it even when he doesn't score. In fact Morgs just seems to love the Kop.

Best ever celebration for me, Gazza v Scotland in Euro '96. Come to think about it, it was the best goal ever as well.

 

[Pierre's PC]

Justin Fashanu?

Its wrong but that made me laugh

 

[Guesty]

Best ever celebration for me, Gazza v Scotland in Euro '96. Come to think about it, it was the best goal ever as well.

Best one I've seen is Metgod's celebration after that freekick from what seemed like two miles out for the scabs.

 

[grafikhaus]

I'd make an exception for women's football, however. Removal of shirts following a goal would be mandatory.

Are you sure?

 

[The Fox]

Apparently the reason that shirt removal is discouraged and rewarded with a booking is due to TV rights and money.

As we all know Top European leagues sell their rights for Live coverage in countries where FIFA would like to promote the game. Unfortunately many of these countries find it offensive that clothing is removed and cant blank it from the live feed . Hence FIFA brought in the booking rule .

As usual its all about Money and Football Politics , just for a change.

 

[HoodedClaw]

FIFA were also put under pressure by the shirt sponsors. They pay a lot of money to advertise on the shirts and they want maximum exposure for the money they pay.