What UEFA's regulations say about Nicolas Jackson's new celebration after player punished for gesture

Nicolas Jackson performed a throat-slit gesture while celebrating a goal for Aston Villa in their 6-0 Champions League victory over Fenerbahce, weeks after another player was banned for the same gesture - but there is a key regulation that appears to cover his celebration.

Jackson scored a brace in the thumping victory for Unai Emery's side, netting both of his goals in the space of eight first-half minutes.

He has now scored five goals for Villa in all competitions since completing his initial £47.5 million move from Chelsea in the summer. Jackson performed a similar celebration during Villa's 3-2 win over Spurs before the international break and faced no punishment. And while Fenerbahce fans complained about the gesture on social media, there is a recent precedent - with a key difference - in European leagues.

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

While the Premier League have clearly taken no issue with Jackson's celebration, Monaco striker 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'."

Paris Brunner pictured (Image: Getty)

Brunner 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 on both occasions.

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.

SPORTbible have contacted UEFA for comment.

What Nicolas Jackson said after huge Aston Villa win

Though their Premier League form has been patchy, Villa have now won both of their opening Champions League matches, having beaten Club Brugge 3-2 away from home on matchweek one.

Jackson lined up in a fluid Villa attack that also included new signings Ibrahim Mbaye and Johan Manzambi, and the Senegal striker spoke particularly highly of both players post-match.

"They [Mbaye and Manzambi] are two amazing players, and I love to play with them," Jackson told UEFA post-match. "Hopefully we score many goals together, and assist each other.

"I'm very glad that we won today - that's the most important. We're very happy to get the win, our first home win, and most of all the clean sheet as well for our 'keeper and defence."

"He [Unai Emery] is an amazing coach, an amazing person as well. Amazing for every player," he continued. "So I'm just happy that I'm here and we're all happy here, so hopefully we fight for him and win games for him as well. It's very important that we got the first win today at home."