Semenyo escapes punishment for FIFA kit rule breach in England's 0-0 World Cup draw with Ghana

Antoine Semenyo broke a FIFA kit regulation during Ghana’s 0-0 World Cup draw with England, wearing a white grip sock that was clearly visible between his socks and boots — in direct violation of IFAB Law 4, which requires any externally applied sock material to match the colour of the sock it covers.

Section 2 of the IFAB’s Law 4 is explicit on the matter: “Any tape or material applied externally to a sock must match the colour of the part of the sock it covers.” Ghana play in an all-yellow strip, making Semenyo’s white grip sock a clear breach of the rule. No action was taken by the match officials during the game.

Former Premier League referee and ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett confirmed the infringement after it was flagged to him on X. “Well spotted Pat,” Hackett wrote, “clearly law not being applied.”

The Bournemouth winger — described in some reports as a Manchester City star, though he currently plays for Bournemouth — had limited impact on the match itself, with England’s defensive shape keeping him largely quiet. The result, however, leaves both sides level on points and separated only by goal difference heading into the final group-stage matchday.

Ghana face Croatia in their final group game, while Thomas Tuchel’s England side take on already-eliminated Panama. A win for either team could be enough to advance, making the grip-sock controversy a minor footnote in what remains a tightly contested group.