WSL News: Estelle Cascarino shaved ‘schoolgirl mistake’ for West Ham – Fara Williams

Former England midfielder Fara Williams said West Ham player Estelle Cascarino made a “schoolgirl mistake” when she was denied the chance to make her debut because of an earring.

New West Ham coach Rita Guarino, who was in charge of her first match on Sunday, tried to bring on Juventus loanee Cascarino early in the second half with her side trailing 4-0 to Chelsea in the Women’s Super League.

But the 28-year-old defender was banned from the pitch because she was wearing an earring that was covered with tape but could not be taken out.

Football Association rules state that “all jewelery is prohibited and must be removed”, with no allowances.

“I know you could tape the earrings together,” Williams told the women’s soccer programme. “But the modern game doesn’t allow that.”

“It’s a schoolgirl mistake for me, a new signing wants to make an impression, and that’s not the impression you want.”

Cascarino was allowed to play without tape covering her inner ear piercing during her time at Juventus.

However, an FA rule states that even using tape to cover any jewelery is not permitted in England.

“Her,” Guarino said [Cascarino] I can’t take this earring off; It’s like a tattoo. She needed a doctor to take it off and she had duct tape.

“I played in the Champions League using tape, so I can’t understand how we made the mistake of using a player in a match for this.”

Former Wales defender Nia Jones said the whole situation was an “absolute circus” for West Ham, who lost the match 5-0.

“She is an experienced player, a French international who previously played for Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain,” Jones said.

“I was glad to see she couldn’t come at all because I thought it was a bit embarrassing.”