France star Jules Kounde forced to remove necklace 42 minutes into World Cup last 16 clash against Poland

FRANCE defender Jules Kounde was forced to remove a GOLD NECKLACE during their last-16 clash with Poland.

The 24-year-old began the match with the jewellery on and it was visible to those watching on TV, with many flagging it on social media.

Reuters

Jules Kounde’s chain was removed towards the end of the first half[/caption]

Reuters

The French defender had gotten away with wearing it for 42 minutes[/caption]

But the officials did not pick up on it until just a few minutes before the end of the first half.

When it was eventually flagged to them in the 42nd minute, referee Valenzuela Saez ordered him to take it off.

The Barcelona man proceeded to do so with the help of one of the French coaching staff.

Kounde’s necklace removal came after a drab 40 minutes from France as Poland stifled them and had chances of their own.

But shortly before the break the reigning world champions did make the breakthrough.

And it was a record-breaking goal to boot as Olivier Giroud became his country’s all-time top scorer.

The ex-Arsenal and Chelsea man now has an international tally of 52, one more than fellow former Gunners star Thierry Henry.

A win for France would seal their place in the last-eight of the World Cup for a third successive time.

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If they do retain the trophy, they will become just the third team to do so after Italy and Brazil.

And they would be the first to do so since Pele and Co achieved the feat in 1962.

Didier Deschamps men are scheduled to meet England in the quarter-finals if Gareth Southgate’s side can beat Senegal on Sunday evening.