Premier League star breaks FIFA World Cup rule in England vs Ghana that referee missed
Antoine Semenyo appeared to break a FIFA rule during the World Cup clash between England and Ghana
Antoine Semenyo appeared to breach a FIFA rule during Ghana's World Cup encounter with England by sporting a different coloured grip sock to his nation's all-yellow kit. The Manchester City player took to the pitch wearing a white grip sock that was plainly visible between his socks and boots with officials failing to spot the infringement.
FIFA regulations require that any additional clothing item must correspond with the kit colour, as formally stipulated in Section 2 of the IFAB's Law 4. It states: "Any tape or material applied externally to a sock must match the colour of the part of the sock it covers."
Former Premier League referee and PGMOL chief Keith Hackett weighed in on the matter after it was flagged to him on X. He responded: "Well spotted Pat clearly law not being applied." Photographs of the 26-year-old during Ghana's opening fixture against Panama reveal he also donned the white sock grip, yet once more escaped any sanction.
England's Jude Bellingham also seemed to break a rule without consequence after he was seen covering his mouth while speaking to Jordan Ayew. However, unlike the incident involving Paraguay's Miguel Almiron, the gesture was not executed in a confrontational fashion, which is required for the new FIFA ruling to be applied.
Had Bellingham been sent off, it could have proved far more damaging for England, with Ghana defending superbly as the two sides played out a 0-0 stalemate. Heading into the final matchday, the two sides are separated only by goal difference, with Ghana set to face Croatia while Thomas Tuchel's men take on already-eliminated Panama.
Despite dropping points, England remain the favourites to finish top of Group L, which would secure a round of 32 meeting against a third-place side from one of Groups E, H, I, J or K.
On current form, England's most probable opponents in the next knockout round would be Mexico — a fixture that would be staged at the iconic Azteca Stadium.
However, Tuesday's performance against the Black Stars serves as a timely reminder that England cannot afford to look too far ahead, with three points against Panama the immediate priority — a result that should be sufficient to see them through as group winners.
