Fans Demand End of Nipples Ban in Soccer

Since 2004, players in the Bundesliga have not been allowed to strip off their jerseys after scoring a goal, even if the moment is pure jubilation. From that point on, a yellow card was issued no matter how emotional the celebration appeared. Some players still flash their bare chests today, but the vast majority sticks to the rule, a rule that has left many gay fans feeling unhappy.

But not only them — a recent British study commissioned by Gillette, the body-hair–removal brand, found that more than three-quarters of respondents (76 percent) believed players should not be warned after scoring an important goal. Fifty percent even argued that removing the jersey after a goal should not be punished with a yellow card at all. Moreover, 61 percent of fans see taking off the jersey as the most powerful and dramatic way to celebrate a late equalizer or winner.

Two-thirds don’t fault a player for removing the jersey despite the downsides

Nearly two-thirds of fans, when looking at their own squads, wouldn’t hold it against a teammate who risks a yellow card for an emotional goal celebration: specifically, 64 percent of respondents would be happy to see a player pull off his jersey after a decisive goal, even if that means punishment and possibly weakening his own team in the future.

There are also consequences at the amateur level: while 85 percent of respondents knew about the yellow card in professional play, only a bit more than half were aware that the rule also applies in amateur or grassroots leagues.

Gillette has leaned into the topic with a campaign featuring former English footballer Ian Wright as the spokesperson — and he goes big: “The game should be about freedom, joy, passion, and emotion — just like it was when I played,” the 62-year-old said in an Instagram video. “But today they’re trying to take that away from us — from you. Enough is enough. If no one else is saying it, Gillette and I will: let’s stop punishing people for taking off their shirts after a goal. Because that’s what football is all about.” In a video that’s actually quite watchable, it shows players celebrating without their jerseys first, then shaving their chests.