Euro 2024: why Kylian Mbappé will not be able to play with his blue-white-red mask, this Friday evening against the Netherlands ?

A personalized mask that the Frenchman will not be able to wear. MAXPPP – JENS SCHLUETER/UEFA HANDOUT

The captain of the French team Kylian Mbappé, victim of a broken nose, participated in training with a blue-white-red mask on the eve of the 2nd match of the Blues at Euro-2024 against the Netherlands, Thursday in Leipzig.

During the first quarter of an hour of this training open to the press, the attacker carried out running exercises with the group but he very often tried to readjust his tricolor mask adorned with the Gallic rooster, visibly embarrassed by this essential protection to allow him to return to competition.

A technical meeting with UEFA

According to article 42 of the UEFA regulations concerning equipment, Mbappé will however not be able to wear this mask in competition since it stipulates that "Medical equipment worn on the field of play must be solid color and must not display any identification of the team or manufacturer. 

To obtain approval of any new equipment, a selection must go through a technical meeting with UEFA. A validation stage which is being held this Friday morning.

For Didier Deschamps, "everything is going in the right direction" regarding the state of Mbappé. The technical support "will ensure that he is available", said the coach at a press conference .