Why Jordan Henderson is wearing full England kit and boots due to FIFA rules
Jordan Henderson is donning the full kit for England during the World Cup semi-final match against Argentina.
The midfielder has ended up having to sit out the final phase of the competition after suffering an injury following England's victory over Mexico.
During the celebrations, Henderson landed awkwardly after jumping over a barrier at the side of the pitch, having to be taken away in an ambulance.
It soon emerged that Henderson sustained a broken arm during the incident which needed surgery and has ruled him out of the rest of the tournament.
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However, he has remained with the England squad and has since been spotted with a cast on his arm, with the cast of course sporting the red and white of England's flag.
Speaking about the injury, he said: "It's alright, thanks. Not my finest hour but the main job was to go there and win and progress to the quarterfinal, and we managed to do that so that's the main thing.
"It's been a little bit of a tough couple of days but as soon as I came back to camp, seeing the lads, we've got a great medical team, I'm thankful for that."
ESPN reported that he added: "The doctors and surgeons in Kansas were amazing as well so I'm very grateful for that, and just delighted to be part of the squad again today."
But a strange rule in FIFA means that Henderson could still don the England strip for their semifinal game against Argentina, like he did against Norway.
While it's unlikely that Henderson will be taking to the pitch, fans have speculated that it's not impossible as Henderson has not been banned from playing.
Taking to social media, sports broadcaster Arlo White wrote: "He’s still a member of the squad. It’s knock out Football with the possibility of extra time, red cards, suspensions and pens.
"If England are down to bare bones in 118th min, can see him coming on."
There is nothing in FIFA's rules which specifically bars someone with a cast from playing, though that could be subject to interpretation.
It seems both unlikely and unwise to bring a player on who has suffered a serious injury, most importantly because this increases the risk of the injury being made worse by the physical exertion or accidental contact with another player on the pitch.
However, if England are in a sticky enough position then it's not technically impossible that Henderson could return, for example to take a penalty as well.
But to do so, the rules also state he would need to be wearing the proper kit.
England and Argentina are acing off in the semi-finals on Wednesday, with Henderson wearing the full kit as he sits on the bench. The winner will face Spain in the final on July 19 in New Jersey.
Argentina were the last team to confirm their spot in the semifinal with a 3-1 victory over Switzerland in the quarter finals which came after they beat Egypt 3-2 in the last 16.
Meanwhile, England made it through with a 2-1 result against Norway, and previously defeated Mexico in a tense 3-2 game at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
This England squad has become one of just three teams to have beaten Mexico on their home turf in a competitive fixture.
Kit Roberts