'That shirt's coming off'

Chastain would reprise '99 celebration despite rule change

NEW YORK (AP) -- Given a chance to rip off her shirt to celebrate a World Cup victory, Brandi Chastain probably will do it again.

"If I was in the same situation as I was in '99, and hopefully will be in 2003 this fall when we play the World Cup, that shirt's coming off," Chastain, a star for the United States, said Monday on NBC's Today show.

Her exuberance might play well with an international TV audience when the Women's World Cup returns to the United States. But soccer's governing body might take a dim view of such antics.

FIFA last month banned players -- men and women -- from removing shirts during celebrations after goals, saying the objective was "maintaining discipline and order on the field of play."

At the last Women's World Cup, Chastain scored the winning goal for the United States in a penalty shootout against China. She dropped to her knees and tore off her shirt, a classic celebration in men's soccer.

"Soccer's always been free flowing, very rhythmic, very creative," Chastain said. "You know, scoring a goal doesn't happen very often. So, in my eyes and in my own opinion, taking off your shirt has nothing to do with discipline. It shows emotion, it shows spontaneity, it shows you could be hot."

Players who ignore the new rule risk receiving a yellow card. FIFA first introduced the ban on shirt removal in 1996 but then relaxed it.

Chastain, who plays for San Jose in the WUSA, said she was unaware of FIFA's latest ruling until someone brought it to her attention.

Still, Chastain strongly hinted what she'll probably do if the winning kick belongs to her again.

"Without a doubt, no I'm not saying that," she backtracked. "I don't want to get into trouble, but I think celebration is all about spontaneity."

 

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