Viral video shows shocking reality of 'Pokémon card' shin pads players are wearing now
Players such as Jack Grealish, Dominik Sobozslai and Bukayo Saka have been renowned for using ‘micro’ shin pads, but now some new players have been taking things to the next level.
In a new viral video, a player has been seen fitting tiny ‘Pokemon’ shin pads, essentially what appear to be small pieces of foam.
Fans have been in uproar about the tiny pieces of equipment, wondering why any team would allow their players to be so unprotected on the pitch.
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Fashion for tiny shin pads goes to next level in football
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It’s become an increasing fashion trend in recent seasons for football players to wear smaller and smaller shinpads.
Premier league star Jack Grealish is cited by many as leading the way in this craze, but now some players are taking things to a new extreme.
In a video posted by former non-league goalkeeper Ashley Harrison, a player is seen attaching what look like temporary, extremely small micro shinpads, removing a wrapper before attaching one to his shin.
The footage seems to have touched a nerve with many fans commenting and quoting the post, highlighting the danger players such as this put themselves in.
“It’s utterly stupid,” one commented. “I once looked after Sir Alex Ferguson who came to school to open a pitch and he spoke with a few lads with links to clubs. ‘You are one tackle away from being an ex-footballer and do all you can to help yourself.’”
FA guidelines advise that shinpads must be worn, but that the level of protection is ultimately down to the player’s own discretion.
“These must be made of a suitable material and be of an appropriate size to provide reasonable protection and be covered by the socks,” the FA’s section 2 of ‘Law 4: The Players' Equipment’ reads.
“Players are responsible for the size and suitability of their shinguards.”
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Football player shinpad trends go against academic research
Last year a post from Brighton & Hove Albion went viral after it featured 17-year-old Harry Howell and his micro-shin pads - with many criticising his choice of protection.
The Telegraph reported last year on the shinpad craze, citing a Dutch academic study which examined their impact on injuries.
Released in 2015 in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, it analysed injuries over 25 years between 1986 until 2010.
The study established that lower-leg injuries decreased by roughly 20% following the introduction of the shin pad law.
Among the many injuries which reduced were significant fractures.
However, the trend looks set to continue. Arsenal star Saka has been quoted saying: "I'm a fan of them; I don't like big shin pads.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk prefers to err on the side of caution: "If you get kicked on your shin and your shin pad is that size of an AirPod, then obviously that's a big problem."
Topics: Jack Grealish, Everton, Bukayo Saka
James Elson
