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Estelle Cascarino looked set to make her debut for West Ham on Sunday as she stood on the sidelines at the start of the second half against Chelsea in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
However, the match officials would not let her take to the field – with her side already 4-0 down at half-time.
And after the game, new Hammers manager Rita Guarino confirmed to the media what some observers had already noticed: that Cascarino was not allowed to play because she had an earring in that she was unable to remove.
It looked as if Cascarino’s earring was covered over with tape, but players are not permitted to wear any items of jewellery in the WSL.
Cascarino returned to the bench and did not play any part in the 5-0 defeat at Kingsmeadow, though Guarino did make four other substitutions in the second half.
Estelle Cascarino: her career so far
Cascarino signed for West Ham on loan from Juventus earlier this week, where she has made 49 appearances in two-and-a-half seasons, helping them win the league title and Coppa Italia trophy last season, as well as the 2023-24 Supercoppa Italiana.
The France international has played in the WSL previously, having spent time on loan at Manchester United in 2023.
Are footballers allowed to wear earrings?
The laws of the game state: “All items of jewellery (necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, leather bands, rubber bands, etc.) are forbidden and must be removed. Using tape to cover jewellery is not permitted.
“The players must be inspected before the start of the match and substitutes before they enter the field of play. If a player is wearing or using unauthorised/dangerous equipment or jewellery the referee must order the player to:
remove the item
leave the field of play at the next stoppage if the player is unable or unwilling to comply
“A player who refuses to comply or wears the item again must be cautioned.”
