Referee notices France star Jules Kounde broke unusual rule in World Cup clash vs Poland

Jules Kounde fell foul of FIFA rules during France’s round of 16 encounter with Poland at the World Cup and was instructed to rectify the situation by the linesman

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In pictures: France v Poland

Jules Kounde was instructed to remove his necklace in a bizarre moment during Sunday afternoon’s World Cup clash between France and Poland.

FIFA rules prohibit players from wearing jewellery and referees are supposed to ensure that all such items have been removed ahead of kick-off. However, Kounde managed to play almost the entire first half of the last-16 encounter before the linesman spotted he was wearing a necklace and demanded he remove it in the 41st minute.

The Barcelona defender, 24, was about to take a throw-in midway into the Poland half when his gold necklace, which had been visible throughout the match, was spotted by the match official. Amusingly, Kounde could not take it off himself and had to enlist the help of a member of the France coaching staff to assist him.

The former Sevilla prospect, who moved to Camp Nou for £42million this summer, is a natural centre-back but is lining up on the right of defence at the World Cup, so he was entrusted with throw-in responsibilities on his flank. Moments after Kounde was instructed to remove his necklace, reigning world champions France took the lead through Olivier Giroud.

The AC Milan veteran slotted past Wojciech Szczesny from Kylian Mbappe’s pass to become the Les Bleus’ all-time record goalscorer. France dominated the first half and Giroud had a fine chance to open the scoring when he arrived at the back post but poked wide.

Poland had their chances, too, and Hugo Lloris was called into action to deny a stinging effort from Piotr Zielinski before France scrambled the ball clear. Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino was on punditry duty for BBC Sport and hailed ex-Arsenal and Chelsea striker Giroud as a player he “hated” coming up against during his time managing in the Premier League.

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Jules Kounde needed help from a member of the France staff to remove his necklace (

Image:

Getty Images)

“Always I hate Giroud in the past because of Arsenal and Chelsea,” Pochettino said. “He was a player you face and you know was capable of everything. It’s massive. It’s a player we as centre-backs hated because he’s a killer. Inside the box, it’s difficult because he’s big, clever, so smart.”

Despite his praise for Giroud, the Argentine was not entirely convinced by what he saw from France, who are aiming to defend the title they earned in Russia four-and-a-half years ago. Pochettino added: ” Today, France showed some weakness, and if you want to be a contender, I think you need to show more solidity.”

Mbappe scored a brilliant goal in the second half as France put one foot in the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of Sunday night’s clash between England and reigning African champions Senegal.