Government label Pep Guardiola’s claim that players cannot help hugging each other ‘ridiculous’

Julian Knight dismissed the Man City manager’s comments

(Getty Images)

Pep Guardiola's claim that players cannot help hugging each other during goal celebrations has been brandished as "ridiculous" by Julian Knight, chairman of the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Players have come under increased scrutiny for failing to adhere to stricter instructions from the Premier League and Professional Footballers' Association to minimise contact where possible.

Teams have continued to celebrate in typical fashion, though, with Guardiola's Manchester City players embracing each other after Phil Foden scored a winner against Brighton on Wednesday.

READ MORE: Lampard: Chelsea players will stop celebrating in training

"It's ridiculous to say it's just instinct, of course players can stop themselves doing it," Knight told the Times.

Manchester City players celebrate Phil Foden’s goal (Getty Images)

"We've seen plenty of occasions in the past where someone does a special routine for a goal celebration similar to the dance routine you sometimes see in American football when someone scores a touchdown.

"Let's not have this jumping on top of each in the face of everything we are trying to deal with.

"I've read that it's not a bookable offence but surely it could be covered by unsportsmanlike conduct, and it should not be beyond the wit of the football authorities to ask referees to issue yellow cards in the same way they do when a player takes their shirt off in a goal celebration.

"We are all human, but we are trying desperately to get the message out there about keeping your distance so it is completely the wrong optics to see players piling on after a goal."