Referee force Japan player change socks
US. Midfielder Keito Nakamura leave pitch two minutes change socks. Japan draw Sweden 1-1, final match Group F World Cup 2026.
Minute 56, Dallas stadium June 25, Daizen Maeda score first for Japan. Then, referee Ivan Barton force Nakamura leave pitch, wear longer socks.
Midfielder born 2000 like short socks, tiny shinguards for comfort. Socks cover small part of shin, lower than other pro players.
Nakamura (blue shirt) wear low socks. Japan beat Tunisia 4-0, match two Group F World Cup 2026, Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, June 20. Photo: AP
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Nakamura change socks, Japan play with 10 men. Daizen Maeda drop deep left wing fill gap. Coach Hajime Moriyasu talk constant with linesman. Minute 59, Reims midfielder return. Three minutes later, Sweden press, Anthony Elanga score equalizer for Sweden.
Post-match interview, Nakamura feel sorry, cause trouble for team. "Sorry leave pitch two minutes. Do this three years, feel confused when referee demand change," midfielder, 25, say.
Nakamura (number 13) after change to high socks, second half Japan draw Sweden 1-1, final match Group F World Cup 2026, Dallas, US, June 25, 2026. Photo: JMPA
JFA President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto angry at referee Barton. Say FIFA, IFAB rule need shinguards, but no size standard. JFA get no warning from FIFA before Sweden match. Nakamura play Netherlands, Tunisia before, no warning.
"No warning before match, call made during match. Player leave pitch hurt team," Miyamoto say. "Not know what to do, but want check with officials, avoid same issue in knockout stage."
Other Japan players unhappy. Midfielder Daichi Kamada say 10 men even short time change game. Kamada: "Positions mess up, slow to reset. Give rival chance press."
Ritsu Doan angry when subbed minute 66, deny fight with coach Moriyasu. Japan media think anger from Nakamura sock issue. Doan: "Not mad at coach, but have reason feel bad. Speak after tournament."
Low socks, small shinguards debate go on years. FIFA, IFAB no clear rule yet.
Before Sweden match, pundits criticize Nakamura, want practice stop, protect player health.
Referee Ivan Barton, 34, from El Salvador, ref World Cup 2022. Visit Japan August 2013, JFA exchange program. Ref J-League 1, warn Kashima striker Yuma Suzuki in Fukuoka match. Suzuki roll shorts up for leg movement, Barton force pull down.
After Nakamura incident, Sports Hochi write: "Maybe decision protect player from injury. But referee seem strict on player look."
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