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Kylian Mbappe will wear a mask when he returns to Euro 2024.
The 25-year-old captain of the French national team suffered a broken nose in the primary match of the tournament.
He was spared surgery, but after a medical examination it was decided that he would wish to wear protective equipment to make sure a protected return to the sector.
The Real Madrid striker was photographed during training on Thursday wearing a mask within the French national colors of red, white and blue – the tricolour – and the brand of the French Football Federation (FFF).
France will face the Netherlands of their second Group D match on Friday.
Any ideas for masks 🎭😅?
— Kylian Mbappe (@KMbappe) 17 June 2024
What happened to Mbappe?
Mbappe suffered a broken nose in France's opening match of the tournament against Austria on Monday.
He sustained the injury in a mid-air collision with Austrian defender Kevin Danso. Blood was visible on his face and shirt.
Mbappe underwent medical treatment before leaving the sector within the closing stages of the match in Düsseldorf and was replaced by Olivier Giroud.
Mbappe's clash with Danso (Lars Baron/Getty Images)
What are UEFA’s rules regarding masks?
UEFA has very strict regulations regarding the clothing and other equipment worn throughout the match.
It states: “Medical equipment (e.g. head protection, face masks, plaster casts, knee pads or knee braces, elbow pads): Medical equipment worn on the field of play must be solid colored and must not contain any team or manufacturer identification.
“Items worn on the legs and arms should be the same color as the corresponding game uniform (e.g. elbow pads or arm tape must be the same color as the shirt sleeves and knee pads must be the same color as the shorts).”
Any equipment have to be approved by UEFA, so it will not be possible for Mbappe to go on the sector with a mask that doesn’t comply with these regulations. The FFF must ask UEFA and approve the mask he desires to wear.
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The night Kylian Mbappe broke his nose at Euro 2024 – “Any ideas for masks?”
Which mask will Mbappe wear then?
As confirmed to the FFF, Mbappe has prepared several plain-coloured masks that comply with UEFA regulations.
The FFF knew the rules that needed to be followed before having the masks manufactured. It had also prepared different sizes.
Kylian Mbappe wears a red-white-blue mask in #LesBleus Training @TheAthleticFC pic.twitter.com/dBsNlBQs5D
– Charlotte Harpur (@charlotteharpur) 20 June 2024
Will Mbappe play against the Netherlands?
On Wednesday, Mbappe announced his participation in France's second group match with a cryptic message on social media.
“Without risk there are no victories,” he wrote on Instagram, sparking speculation that he could be available.
“Everything is going in the right direction,” said Didier Deschamps at his press conference on Thursday.
“After this great shock he has suffered, with the consequences of course. “Yesterday, as you saw, he was capable of exit and be a bit energetic. And that will likely be the case tonight too.”
“So things are moving in the suitable direction so he could be available tomorrow. We will be certain he is accessible, I repeat.”
According to UEFA regulations, teams must confirm their squads at least one hour before kick-off of each match.
France will face the Netherlands in Leipzig on Friday at 20:00 BST (15:00 ET).
A win would see them advance to the next phase of the tournament. Their last group match will be against Poland in Dortmund on Tuesday.
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France's changed defensive formation worked against Austria – but the course of the game was a decisive factor
image credit : www.nytimes.com