Real Madrid star Billingham with torn socks during the match against Atletico Madrid in the King’s Cup (Anatolia)

The number of players who intentionally puncture or tear their socks during matches is increasing until it has become a phenomenon in football. We reveal its causes and the position of the law of the game on it.

The phenomenon caught attention after it was applied by some football stars, including, but not limited to, Englishman Jude Bellingham and Brazilian Neymar.

Bellingham even went to extremes in tearing socks, whether with his Spanish team, Real Madrid, or his country's national team, including during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and his teammate, Bukayo Saka, followed suit.

The number of holes cut in the socks varies from player to player. While some opt for one or two holes, others (such as Manchester City's Kyle Walker) have played with multiple holes cut into the back of their socks.

One of the first footballers to be spotted playing with torn socks was former England right-back Danny Rose during the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Torn socks have become a phenomenon in major leagues, including the Premier League (Reuters)

Why do players tear their socks?

Players justify making holes in their socks to reduce pressure on the leg muscles, which are often restricted due to the tightness of the sock, which may lead to a problem with effective blood flow and circulation, which affects their performance, while some believe that its benefits may only be psychological.

Manchester City star Jack Grealish took another method instead of tearing his socks, as he contented himself with lowering the sock under his swollen “calf” muscle, which explains the reason for his action.

Mourinho criticized sports federations allowing players to play with torn socks (Reuters)

What does the football law say?

There is no provision in the Football Law prohibiting piercing socks (yet), but the referee can order the player to change his socks if he sees that they do not fit the sports dress code, as happened with former Valencia player Ezequiel Garay when a Spanish League referee ordered him to change his torn socks. Inappropriately.

Article Four of the Football Law (Players’ Equipment) stipulates that players must wear socks, but it does not address whether they contain holes or not. What is important is that the socks cover the shin guards and that they are raised and not lowered as players used to do in the past.

But the law may be amended at any time, especially in light of the dissatisfaction of some, including Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho, who did not hide his rejection of the phenomenon via Instagram by publishing 5 black and white photos of unknown players wearing torn socks, and commented in February of last year (sarcastically) “ Beautiful socks for the beautiful game... Approved by the Football Associations.”

Source: Al Jazeera + websites