France defender Jules Kounde told by a match official to remove two gold chains he wore during the defending champions’ World Cup match against Poland
Kounde forced to remove gold chains during World Cup matchBy JENNA FRYERAP National WriterThe Associated PressDOHA, Qatar
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — France defender Jules Kounde has been told by a match official to remove two gold chains he wore during the defense world Cup Champions match against Poland.
Kounde wore the shackles until the 41st minute – on display up to that point in Sunday’s match – when referee Jesus Valenzuela ordered Kounde to take them off. An assistant from France called Kounde on the sidelines and he unhooked the clips from the back of his neck and walked back to the bench.
After France defeated Poland 3-1 To progress to the quarter-finals, France manager Didier Deschamps was asked if Kounde had kept his chains on as they showed the rainbow symbol. Early in the World Cup, FIFA threatened European teams intending to wear “One Love” bracelets with in-game discipline; seven captains had promised to wear armbands.
Deschamps said he had no idea what was on Kounde’s necklaces, but noted that wearing all jewelry during matches is prohibited. The official rules of the game require players to be inspected at the start of each game to ensure they are not wearing any prohibited items.
“I don’t know what was on her necklace, to be honest,” Deschamps said. “I know Jules is superstitious and usually wears that necklace even in training and I said to him: ‘You’re lucky I wasn’t next to you because even I would completely take it off.’
“I know players don’t have the right to wear necklaces or bracelets. He’s not allowed to wear a necklace, you can’t play with sunglasses, or a watch, or a ring, or a necklace, for that matter. It’s not allowed, and I thought he was gone, but he hadn’t. So it’s our fault.
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