Michael Olise facing UEFA punishment for breaking strict IFAB rule in Champions League

Bayern Munich Michael Olise is at risk of being punished by UEFA after appearing to break a strict rule set by football's lawmakers IFAB.

Olise made the move to Bayern in the summer from Crystal Palace, joining in a £50 million switch and penning a five-year contract until 2029. The 22-year-old has scored seven goals in 17 appearances, with his latest outing coming as a substitute in the 1-0 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night.

But the France international was involved in a bizarre issue prior to entering the fray. Stood on the touchline, the fourth official became aware that Olise appeared to be attempting to enter the pitch without wearing any shinpads and a confused Vincent Kompany was involved in the discussion.

Olise and Serge Gnabry both came on in the 72nd minute, replacing Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman. Olise was then seen putting his shinpads in his socks but then when the official was not looking, cameras captured him taking his left guard out and throwing it behind him just outside the technical area.

It was then picked up by a Bayern staff member and Olise looked to have played out his cameo without the necessary protection.

📌Olise fick tillsägelse av fjärdedomaren att han inte hade på sig benskydd. Fransmannen tar på sig skydden, men när domaren inte tittar tar han av dem igen. Farligt spel.

[📽️TNTSport]

pic.twitter.com/pnJyJsY1QY

— Keven Bader (@Keven_Bader) November 27, 2024

Shinpads are a basic requirement in football at all levels, with IFAB Law 4.2 stating: "Shinguards – these must be made of a suitable material and be of an appropriate size to provide reasonable protection and be covered by the socks.

"Players are responsible for the size and suitability of their shinguards."

Olise appeared to have fell afoul of the rule and The Sun states that he could be investigated by UEFA.

In recent times players have been sporting shinpads which are much smaller. An IFAB directive which came in over the summer means players are completely responsible for the size of their shinpads, allowing the likes of Tyler Dibling of Southampton to wear tiny guards in games.