The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has fined Nations FC striker Emmanuel Annor GH₵500 for what it described as a breach of the Ghana Premier League’s professional conduct rules, following his display of a religious message during a recent match against Asante Kotoko.

Emmanuel Annor, whose goal was pivotal in the tightly contested fixture, celebrated by removing his jersey to reveal an undershirt with the inscription “I belong to Jesus.”
The act quickly drew applause from some sections of the stadium, but it also triggered disciplinary scrutiny from the league's governing body.

In a decision released on May 13, 2025, the GFA’s Disciplinary Committee stated that the forward had violated league regulations which prohibit the display of religious or political messages during official matches.

"The player was found guilty of displaying a religious message on his undergarment after removing his shirt in celebration," the GFA noted.

While the GFA acknowledged the player’s right to personal belief, it emphasized that the rules of the sport are designed to maintain neutrality and uniformity, avoiding potentially divisive messaging during matches.

The association further issued a stern caution to Annor, warning that any future incidents of a similar nature would attract harsher sanctions, possibly including suspension.

The ruling is consistent with FIFA’s long-standing position, which bans “any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images” on playing kits during official matches, a policy meant to keep the focus on the sport and prevent controversy.

This is not the first time a player has come under scrutiny for such celebrations.

Across global football, the balance between individual expression and regulatory compliance has often been a contentious one. While players have occasionally worn undershirts or armbands to convey messages of faith, protest, or support for social causes, football governing bodies have largely enforced a neutral stance to preserve the apolitical nature of the sport.

The incident has reignited public discourse in Ghana on whether current football regulations adequately account for cultural and religious expression, especially in a country where faith is deeply rooted in everyday life.

Supporters of Emmanuel Annor took to social media to praise his openness about his faith, while others defended the GFA’s position, emphasizing that uniform enforcement of rules is necessary to prevent potential bias or escalation of tensions in future matches.

Nations FC has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Annor, whose performance continues to draw attention in the league, remains eligible to play but is now under closer scrutiny from the disciplinary authorities.