SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Boys Varsity Soccer Celebration Yellow Cards

Simple answer to that question, no that rule can't be written.

What may be missed here, which I think you are pointing to, is what is "excessive" in the "excessive celebration".

It doesn't matter what the "heroes" in the EPL do, this isn't the EPL. We can't pick and choose what the heroes do that is determined to be acceptable. Many would say the amount of embelishment that exists is not acceptable, but it's done by the heroes.

For what it's worth, my opinion, reading the snap shot, from a referee perspective, head first dive, excessive. Everything else seemed to be okay.

There is such thing as excessive celebration. We have had many chats on what to card for when it comes to celebrations. If a player lifts a shirt up after a goal, it is a yellow card. If the player completely removes their shirt, they are to be sent off. If the celebration is directed to the other team or the opposing fans in such a way that it is considered unsportsmanlike, then either the person leading the celebration, or the captain is to be carded. The other thing that you need to be wary of is depending on which state you are in, you cannot go into the goal to get the ball if you are the team that scored it, that is also a yellow. And don't forget that if you take too long to get set for the kickoff after scoring a goal while celebrating, as determined by the official, you get a yellow too! Once again, this can either be the captain or the specific person doing the celebrating.

Just think how much fun it is for the referee to have to give those cards. Since many of these are "in the opinion of the referee", there are many interpretations to these rules. I have been refereeing for a number of years now, and have only given a handful of cards for excessive celebration or removing a jersey.

I think the agreement here is let the kids celebrate, its part of the entertainment of the game.

You let them celebrate some, as long as it is not tasteless or enters into the area of unsportsmanlike conduct. There are specific rules written to prevent the taking of a jersey off, and of being unsporting.....

Yeah, there is a difference between celebrating your team's accomplishment and taunting or belittling the other team. Officials should be able to tell the difference and rule accordingly.

I always said if a team celebrates after scoring, the other team should take it as a compliment...it means getting the ball past them is an accomplishment they feel they should be proud of, not just a matter of course.