Jose Mourinho slams footballers for growing trend of cutting holes in socks | OneFootball

Jose Mourinho has criticised footballers who cut holes in their match socks via an unexpected post on Instagram.

The AS Roma head coach, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers in football history, posted five black and white photos of unidentified players wearing ripped socks.

Mourinho, hitting out at football’s lawmakers for not stopping the new trend, wrote: “Beautiful socks for the Beautiful Game… Approved by the football authorities.”

Check out Mourinho’s Instagram

Which footballers are cutting holes in their socks?

More and more high-profile players appear to be following the new trend.

England and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham has been seen playing with ripped socks while playing for both club and country, including during the Qatar World Cup.

Brazilian superstar Neymar has also played with holes in his socks, as has Manchester City’s Kyle Walker.

Meanwhile, one of the first footballers spotted playing with ripped socks was England’s Danny Rose during the 2018 World Cup.

Why are footballers cutting holes in their socks?

It’s certainly an unusual look, isn’t it?

But tearing their socks apart prior to kick-off must have benefits - either real or psychological - for players, right? Otherwise they surely wouldn’t do it.

According to Goal, players are generally cutting holes in their socks to reduce the pressure on the calf muscles, which are often restricted due to the garment’s tightness.

The report says that footballers with bulging leg muscles find socks particularly restrictive, resulting in effective bloodflow and circulation becoming an issue, as well as breathability.

Players are subsequently avoiding this problem by cutting holes in their socks.

CRAWLEY, ENGLAND - APRIL 04: Maya Le Tissier of Brighton with holes in her socks during the Barclays FA Women's Super League match between Brighton & Hove Albion Women and Manchester United Women at The Peoples Pension Stadium on April 04, 2021 in Crawley, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)

What else can footballers do if their socks are causing issues?

Footballers who don’t wish to play with ripped socks may want to consider going down the Jack Grealish route.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: A detailed view of the socks and shin pads of Jack Grealish of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park on February 16, 2020 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The Man City and England star famously plays with his socks rolled down below his calves, although that’s apparently more due to superstition

Are footballers allowed to play with holes in their socks?

Former Valencia player Ezequiel Garay was once ordered to change his socks after a La Liga referee decided his ripped pair did not befit the sporting dress code.

However, there’s nothing in the Football Association’s Laws of the Game stating that footballers must only wear socks without holes.

‘Socks’ are listed among the basic compulsory equipment of every player, along with a jersey or shirt; shorts or truck suit trousers; shinguards, and footwear.

The referee has the power to ask a player to leave the playing area to correct his equipment if there are any infringements of this law.