Those others clearly do not mean any offence and most people would probably consider it over-sensitive but, considering what is happening in the world and considering the problem of gun crime on the streets of so many countries, it would be perfectly understandable if football authorities outlawed celebrations that make visual reference to firearms.
Premier League must avoid NFL punishments but Everton booking raises questions Michael Oliver’s red card for Myles Lewis-Skelly was not the only controversial refereeing decision of last weekend - another came at the Amex Stadium where Tim Robinson booked Iliman Ndiaye for a celebration that featured the Everton midfielder imitating a seagull.
The Joshua Zirkzee machine gun celebration would bring swift punishment in American football, as would the sniper celebration that Phil Foden dusted down after scoring a couple against Ipswich Town recently.
Booking players for what they do in celebration is, by its very nature, a killjoy act, although Robinson would no doubt argue that - as Ndiaye also cupped his ear - the Everton player was inciting the home fans.
After Drake London had been penalised for making a shooting gesture after scoring against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Atlanta Falcons wide receiver said: “There is a lot of stuff going around in the world with gun violence that I don’t think I should have done that.”.
