The 'inspiration' behind Nicolas Jackson's thumbs-down celebration that has got fans talking

Over the past few weeks, Aston Villa striker Nicolas Jackson has attracted plenty of attention with his controversial 'thumbs-down' celebration, but what does it actually mean?

Last month, after Jackson found the net in Villa's 3-2 win over Tottenham, the Premier League's official TikTok account appeared to draw a connection between his celebration and the 2000 film Gladiator.

In the caption accompanying the video, they wrote: "Nicolas Jackson with the Gladiator celebration." They even went as far as using a clip of Emperor Commodus performing the gesture.

For those unfamiliar with the celebration, Jackson raises a finger to his ear before extending his thumb and turning it downwards. He then performs a throat-slit gesture and an intense stare directly into the camera.

Jackson performs the celebration after scoring against Fulham. Image credit: Getty

In the film, Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix, uses the thumbs-down gesture to signal that a defeated gladiator should be killed rather than spared.

Many have interpreted Jackson's thumbs-down motion as a sign that he has conquered his opponent and shown no mercy by finding the back of the net, something he has done on eight occasions this season.

A report from The Independent, published on October 30, suggests the film is indeed the inspiration behind Jackson's celebration.

What UEFA's rules say amid Nicolas Jackson's goal celebration

While the Premier League have taken no issue with Jackson's antics, some questioned whether UEFA would take action after he performed the gesture while celebrating a goal for Villa in their Champions League win over Fenerbahce.

Back in September, Monaco's Paris Brunner was banned for four matches - two of those suspended - for a throat-slit gesture after he scored during a win over Strasbourg.

Brunner explained: "They [the fans] spoke about my family, my mother and my father. I could see those who insulted me. There were a lot of emotions after the goal, especially after a strike like that. I did not want to be disrespectful.

"I would not say that I regret it, but that was not the message I wanted to convey. It was misunderstood. What I wanted to say was: What a goal, that was it'."

The striker was banned by France's disciplinary commission, with the referee having included the incident in his match report. However, there are key differences to the Jackson celebration.

Brunner aimed his gesture towards the home Strasbourg fans, while Jackson performed it towards the camera - and not facing the stands - instead.

That creates an important distinction in IFAB's Laws of the Game, in use by UEFA, which state that players are banned from 'acting in a provocative, derisory and inflammatory way' when performing goal celebrations.

There appears to be no evidence, therefore, that Jackson would face any punishment from UEFA for performing the celebration.