FOOTBALL
Tim Cahill under fire for sponsored goal celebration against Syria
The Aussie scored against Syria and celebrated with a T gesture to promote his sponsor TripADeal but the online travel store have since deleted their Instagram post.
Tim Cahill has come under fire after TripADeal, one of his sponsors, congratulated him on his goal against Syria in the World Cup play-offs. The Aussie made a 'T' sign with his arm and forearm and reports suggest he it was a sponsored celebration.
The Australian online travel store posted the photo below to Instagram along with the caption, "Did you catch @tim_cahill, our new brand ambassador, doing the TripADeal 'T' after he scored the winning goal last night? Congratulations Tim!"
Cahill replied with "eight emojis, including two cheeky faces with their tongues sticking out," according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Cahill uploaded a picture on his own Instagram account that remains online that says, "Always a pleasure 🙌🏽💙⚽️💯🇦🇺 Another chapter written and plenty more to come. Amazing team performance and really proud of everyone tonight, team, staff and fans. #FEARLESS @tripadeal ✈️✈️✈️✈️"
Denmark's Nicklas Bendtner was fined almost €90,000 and banned for a game after exposing Paddy Power underwear when he scored a goal against Poland during Euro 2012. The FIFA rule that brought about the fine says, "Players must not reveal undershirts which contain slogans or advertising. A player removing his jersey to reveal slogans will be sanctioned by the competition organiser.
While Cahill did not expose equipment with the name or slogan of the company, the company have since deleted their Instagram post and it is unclear if FIFA will investigate the sponsored reaction to his goal.
It is not the first time Cahill has drawn attention for a goal celebration. While playing with Everton, Cahill celebrated with a handcuff gesture after his brother was arrested by police in England and sentenced to six years in jail for kicking a man outside a taxi rank in London. Cahill apologised saying, "It was a spontaneous and emotional reaction but was only intended to signify to my brother that I was thinking of him and missing him. It was not intended to cause any offence to any other party and I wholeheartedly apologise if any offence was caused."
