Jules Kounde was lucky to escape being booked after the French defender was spotted wearing a gold chain during France’s round of 16 game against Poland.
According to rule number 4 of the IFAB regulations, “Players must not wear dangerous equipment or objects. All types of jewelry accessories are prohibited.”
However, neither the referee nor the linesman noticed the offense until the 40th minute, after which Kounde was forced to take off the chain with the help of a member of Deschamps’ coaching staff.
Kounde was fortunately not booked for the infringement either. Following the incident, French head coach Didier Deschamps was furious with his player.
“I don’t know what he has on the necklace, but I know he’s a bit superstitious and he wears it in training too,” Deschamps stated after the game.
“I don’t know what the necklace meant to him, but I told him he was very lucky that I didn’t catch him in front of me at that moment.
“The referee told us that as soon as there was a stoppage in play, he had to take it off. If I had seen him wearing it in the dressing room, I’d have told him to take it off before he even went onto the pitch.
“You can’t play football wearing sunglasses or a watch or ring. It’s not allowed. I thought he’d taken it off, but he hadn’t. It’s our fault, our mistake, and it won’t happen again.”
Credit: marca.com
