By TARA ANSON-WALSH, FOOTBALL REPORTER
Published: 13:49 EST, 11 January 2026 | Updated: 13:57 EST, 11 January 2026
West Ham women's player Estelle Cascarino was denied her debut for the club in Sunday afternoon’s WSL fixture against Chelsea after being unable to remove an earring.
France international Cascarino, who joined the club on loan just three days ago, was set to come on at the start of the second half when she was told by referees that she would not be allowed to enter the field unless she removed her earring.
Cascarino, who was wearing tape over her ear, explained that it could not be removed, as play was delayed while both teams waited for a resolution.
Eventually, Cascarino returned to the substitutes' bench as West Ham begun the second half with 10 players - until Ines Belloumou made her way back onto the field.
West Ham's new manager Rita Guarino rued WSL regulations in her post-match press conference.
Guarino said: 'She (Cascarino) can’t take off this earring; it’s like a tattoo. She needs a doctor to take it off and she had tape.
Cascarino was set to come on at the start of the second half when she was told by referees that she would not be allowed to enter the field unless she removed her earring
The 28-year-old French defender has played for Juventus without tape covering the inner-ear piercing, but FA rules forbid all items of jewellery and do not permit tape
'She played in the Champions League with tape, so I can’t understand how we missed using a player in a game for this.'
The 28-year-old French defender has played for Juventus without tape covering the inner-ear piercing, but FA rules forbid all items of jewellery and do not permit tape.
In truth, Cascarino's introduction would have done little to turn the tide of the game, given the Hammers were already 4-0 down at the break to Sonia Bompastor's champions.
A first-minute own goal from Yu Endo set the relegation battlers off to a torrid start before goals from Lauren James, Alyssa Thompson and Sandy Baltimore quadrupled the tally before half-time.
Baltimore secured a brace from the penalty spot in the 70th minute as Bompastor's Blues put the game into cruise control.
The result consigns West Ham to 11th place, just one point clear of the relegation position, which is currently occupied by Liverpool.
Guarino was handed arguably the most difficult fixture in the WSL for her first match in charge, and will hope for an easier afternoon when West Ham face Leicester next in the league.
Before that, however, West Ham will travel to WSL2 side Newcastle in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday.