“Some of the celebrations have been very funny [and] entertaining but there’s a line,” said the Premier League’s chief football officer, Tony Scholes; “Once it crosses over into mockery or criticism, then we would need to deal with it,” he added
The news comes after some players received criticism for celebrations many feel crossed the line by mocking opponents.
Iliman Ndiaye received a yellow card after he scored Everton’s winner against Brighton and then celebrated by flapping his arms like a seagull.
But when Myles Lewis-Skelly mimicked Erling Haaland in his goal celebration at the Emirates, he received no punishment. Arsenal went on to beat Manchester City 5-1 on Sunday.
Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott praised Lewis-Skelly for his strength of character, saying: “He was not afraid of Haaland at all.”
However, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher both said they thought the 18-year-old’s actions were disrespectful.
In the past, Jamie Vardy has mimicked an eagle when scoring against Crystal Palace and was criticised by some for his interactions with the Tottenham supporters at the end of last month, when Leicester beat Tottenham 2-1. He received no caution for either action.
Similarly, Neal Maupay was thought to be mocking James Maddison when he copied the midfielder’s darts celebration after scoring for Brentford against Spurs a year ago.
Maddison then criticised Maupay in his post-match interview and the forward hit back on social media.
This season, Phil Foden and Joshua Zirkzee have pretended to fire guns towards the crowd after scoring goals but received no punishment.
In the NFL, players who imitate the shooting of weapons when celebrating face heavy post-match fines.
The Premier League’s chief football officer, Tony Scholes, said: “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.”
Gap between Premier League and Championship in focus
Scholes also said he is concerned that the gulf between the Championship and the Premier League is making it more difficult for promoted teams to compete.
Last season, for the first time in 26 years, all three promoted teams were relegated back down to the EFL at the first time of asking. As things stand this season, the three promoted clubs currently occupy the three relegation places in the Premier League – Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester.
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