GFA Fines Nations FC’s Forward Emmanuel Annor GHS 500 For The Display Of A Religious Message

The Ghana Football Association has fined Nations FC forward Emmanuel Annor GHS 500 for misconduct during their Ghana Premier League game against Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

The 22-year-old forward found the back of the net for Nations FC in their 2-0 win over Kumasi Asante Kotoko and removed his jersey to display an undergarment with the message “I Belong To Jesus” in his goal celebration process.

In a statement released by the Ghana Football Association Disciplinary Committee stated that “The player was found guilty of displaying a religious symbol after removing his shirt in celebration.”

They then added that “He has been strongly warned that any further misconduct will result in severe sanctions.”

The forward went to his X page and responded to the fines from the GFA Disciplinary Committee, “Why can football players celebrate LGBTQ+ sexuality but not their love for Jesus? Romans 14:8—If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. It’s the Kingdom work on the pitch.”

In response to this occurrence, football fans and commentators have stated that the GFA should have merely issued a warning and instead punished him if he committed the same infraction again.

Cody Gakpo, a striker for Liverpool in the English Premier League displayed the same religious message, “I belong to Jesus.” Instead of punishment, the Dutch forward received a warning.