Questions over the application of football’s laws have resurfaced after a Manchester City player appeared to avoid punishment for an apparent breach of FIFA’s equipment regulations during a World Cup fixture.
While much of the attention from the contest centred on the action on the pitch, eagle-eyed supporters noticed an incident involving Ghana international Antoine Semenyo that has since generated debate among fans and former officials.
The match between the Three Lions and Black Stars was a tense and cautious affair.
England found it difficult to create meaningful opportunities against a disciplined Ghana side that defended resolutely throughout the encounter.
Despite periods of pressure and a handful of promising moments, neither team managed to find a breakthrough, resulting in a goalless draw.
The game also featured a controversial moment involving England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who narrowly escaped a red card after a challenge that sparked discussion among pundits and supporters alike.
Yet away from the major talking points, attention shifted to Semenyo’s choice of footwear and socks.
The Manchester City winger was seen wearing white grip socks that were visible above his boots and below the official team socks.
Although grip socks have become increasingly popular in modern football, their use remains subject to specific regulations.
Designed with rubberised sections on the sole, grip socks help players maintain stability inside their boots, reducing foot movement and improving comfort during matches.
Their widespread adoption means they are now commonly used by professional and amateur footballers around the world.
Former referee highlights apparent oversight
The controversy arose because Ghana’s official socks for the fixture were predominantly yellow. As a result, the white material around Semenyo’s ankle was clearly visible throughout the match.
According to the Laws of the Game, such a situation could represent a breach of equipment regulations.
Section 2 of IFAB’s Law 4 states that “any tape or material applied externally to a sock must match the colour of the part of the sock it covers.”
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The visibility of the white grip sock against the yellow team socks led some supporters to question whether match officials should have intervened before or during the game.
Social media users quickly circulated images of the incident, with many suggesting the regulation had not been properly enforced.
One supporter brought the matter directly to the attention of former Premier League referee and former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett through a post on X.
Hackett agreed with the observation and publicly backed the claim that officials had missed the apparent infringement.
Responding online, Hackett wrote: “Well spotted Pat clearly law not being applied,” indicating his belief that the regulation should have been enforced.
