France defender Jules Kounde was spotted wearing a gold necklace during their World Cup round of 16 clash against Poland – and fans are asking the same question; is it actually allowed?
The 24-year-old centre-back, who has featured in three games at this winter's World Cup, could be seen wearing the chain throughout the first-half of Sunday's clash at the Al Thumama Stadium.
Finally, in the 41st minute, referee Jesus Valenzuela instructed Kounde to take off the necklace and soon, a member of France's backroom staff called the Barcelona man over to remove it.
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So is it allowed? The IFAB Laws of the Game handbook clearly states that a player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous.
Under the section of safety, it states: "All items of jewellery (necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, leather bands, rubber bands, etc.) are forbidden and must be removed. Using tape to cover jewellery is not permitted.
"The players must be inspected before the start of the match and substitutes before they enter the field of play.
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"If a player is wearing or using unauthorised/ dangerous equipment or jewellery, the referee must order the player to:
• remove the item
• leave the field of play at the next stoppage if the player is unable or unwilling to comply
"A player who refuses to comply or wears the item again must be cautioned."
Shortly after his chain was spotted on TV coverage, plenty of fans flooded to social media to react.
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One said: "Kounde is wearing a necklace. Isn't that illegal?" while another commented: "Are players allowed to wear necklaces during the game? Kounde has one."
A third wrote: "Kounde playing with a necklace on, that’s a first. I’ve never seen a footballer playing a necklace on before."
A fourth noted: "Someone hasn't done his job well there. How's Kounde wearing a necklace in the game?"
The big question is this; how did it take 40 minutes for officials to spot Kounde's chain? After all, everybody at home managed to get a glimpse.
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Not long after that strange incident and Olivier Giroud opened the scoring for reigning world champions France.
Didier Deschamps warned his team of Poland's threat ahead of kick-off, saying: "This team (Poland) has had to defend in the first three games, defend a lot, and they defend very well. They love it.
“They have a hardcore of players with good experience. There is (Wojciech) Szczesny, (Kamil) Glik, (Robert) Lewandowski and you have to respect what this team does, they deserve to be there. Szczesny was decisive.
“My players know that there will be a response. They have a lot of attacking options to cause problems for the opponent.”
Featured Image Credit: TwitterTopics: France, Jules Kounde, Poland, Football World Cup
