No Sanctions for Kaviedes Mask Tribute

FIFA will not sanction Ecuador striker Ivan Kaviedes for his masked goal celebration against Costa Rica. Just so you read that right, let me say against: FIFA has decided not to impose punishment on El Nine for the mask. This is a great opportunity missed for FIFA. Don’t they love making senseless decisions that impugn what fans love about football? Huh.

FIFA communications dude Markus Siegler said that while FIFA regulations specifically prohibit pulling off your shirt, the rules are mum on pulling a mask out of your underwear. And I’m only barely exaggerating for comic effect.

Also, Siegler said that El Nine’s explanation–that it was to honor a fallen teammate–argued in favor of no punishment. Finally, FIFA felt that the risk that there were a number of players who are stalking around Germany with masks in their knickers is acceptably low.

Anyway, if another player pulled out a mask now, instead of being a national hero, they’d win the Lamest Man Alive award.

PS: I’ve already ordered my Kaviedes / Otilino tribute T-shirt. Really.