Kylian Mbappe will wear a protective mask for France against the Netherlands (Image: Getty)
Kylian Mbappe has defied doubts that he might not be fit for France’s Euro 2024 clash with the Netherlands tonight (Friday). But the Real Madrid-bound forward may break a little-known UEFA rule if he wears the protective mask he has been pictured wearing in training this week.
Mbappe suffered a horrific broken nose late in France’s 1-0 win over Austria on Monday. His accidental collision with Kevin Danso left him with a blood-stained white France shirt.
Early reports from France suggested that the 25-year-old may miss the remainder of the group stages, such was the severity of the fracture. But Mbappe has been in good spirits during France training and head coach Didier Deschamps expects the forward to play against the Netherlands.
Mbappe’s red, white and blue mask depicts the French Tricolore flag. Should he play in the same protective gear against the Netherlands, he would be in breach of UEFA’s laws regarding a player’s kit and accessories
The rules state that “medical equipment worn on the playing field must be of a single colour” and “must not allow the team or manufacturer to be identified”. The Tricolore mask would be at odds with both of those conditions.
According to French publication RMC Sport, French officials will check the guidelines with their UEFA counterparts in a technical meeting before the game against the Netherlands. It is claimed that Mbappe chose the mask despite being shown a range of other designs.
France are expecting Mbappe to be fit to play against the Dutch in a crunch Group D clash. “I can confirm that Kylian Mbappe is feeling better and all is evolving well to see him available for tomorrow,” said Deschamps. “It’s moving in the right direction.”
On the mask, Deschamps added: “He will be playing in a mask, you don’t need to know any more details about this mask.”
Kylian Mbappe trained in the Tricolore protective mask ahead of France vs the Netherlands (Image: Getty)
Mbappe and Co. got off to an excellent start against Austria, although they were perhaps fortunate not to see their lead slip late on.
The France captain missed an excellent chance to put his side 2-0 ahead but squandered the opportunity despite being one-on-one with goalkeeper Patrick Pentz. The shot-stopper later offered a brutal put-down of Mbappe, saying: “He is a completely normal striker like any other. He is just faster.”
France and the Netherlands both have three points heading into their second match. The Dutch beat Poland 2-1 in their opening game of the tournament.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1913826/Kylian-Mbappe-UEFA-rule-Euro-2024-France-Netherlands