The Premier League is poised to address goal celebrations that blur the line between being entertaining and veering into mockery, according to its chief football officer.

Tony Scholes emphasized that while many celebrations are funny and enjoyable, there must be boundaries.

Notable Incidents

• Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye was booked last month for mimicking a seagull after scoring.
• Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly went unpunished for his meditation pose, closely associated with Erling Haaland.
• Jamie Vardy has regularly amused fans with his celebrations.

Existing Rules

According to global lawmakers IFAB, celebrations deemed “provocative, derisory, or inflammatory” may attract penalties, and these rules remain effective in the English top-flight.

Scholes’ Commentary

“There’s a balance. I think we all like to see celebrations. Some of the celebrations have been very funny, entertaining, but there’s a line. Once it crosses over into mockery or criticism then we would need to deal with it.”
Translation: There should be a balance. We enjoy celebrations, but there are limits. If it becomes mockery or criticism, action will be taken.

Since the 2020-21 season, 73 yellow cards have been handed out for excessive celebrations in the Premier League, with Mohamed Salah and Raphinha among the most frequently cautioned.