Kylian Mbappe was photographed with a new mask while training with France at Euro 2024, but he is not allowed to wear it in matches according to regulations from UEFA.
France team captain Kylian Mbappe is facing a dilemma before the important match against the Netherlands at Euro 2024. The problem is not with his form or fitness, but with the protective mask. – a necessary medical item after the broken nose injury he suffered in the previous match against Austria.
In the recent match against Austria, Mbappe had a strong collision with defender Kevin Danso, resulting in a broken nose. This injury prevented him from completing the match and caused many concerns about the French team's ability to participate in the next matches at Euro 2024.
To protect the injured nose area and be able to continue playing, Mbappe needs to use a special mask. However, the use of masks in official matches faces barriers from UEFA regulations.
UEFA has specific regulations regarding the use of medical equipment on the field, including protective masks. According to regulations, medical equipment such as masks, knee braces, or elbow pads must be a single color, without any identifying information about the team or manufacturer. For items worn on legs and arms, the color must be similar to the competition outfit.
Initially, Mbappe appeared at the French team's training session wearing a mask with the colors and logo of the national team. However, this mask did not meet UEFA regulations on medical devices, preventing him from using it in official matches.
This poses a big challenge for the French Football Federation (FFF) and the team's medical team. They need to find an alternative solution that ensures both protection of Mbappe's injured nose and compliance with UEFA regulations.
Faced with this situation, the French Football Federation quickly took positive actions. They confirmed to The Athletic that Mbappe has prepared a number of different masks, all of which have a single color and comply with UEFA regulations. These masks are also prepared in many different sizes to ensure maximum comfort and safety for the players.
Coach Didier Deschamps also spoke about Mbappe's situation in the pre-match press conference. He confirmed that the striker is feeling better and has been able to participate in some light exercises. Deschamps was optimistic about Mbappe's ability to play in the important match against the Netherlands.
“Things are going well after the shock we encountered. Kylian Mbappe was able to take part in some light training yesterday and tonight too. Everything is developing in the right direction,” Deschamps shared. “We will do everything we can to make sure he is available tomorrow.”