The trend of wearing ultra-small "micro" shin pads, popularized by elite players such as Memphis Depay, has come under scrutiny again.
A Dangerous Trend? Modern Footballers Are Wearing Tiny Shinguards
English non-league club Ilfracombe Town has officially banned the use of micro shin pads across all its teams after one of their players suffered a horrific injury.
English Club BANES 'Micro' Shin Pads
During a South West Peninsula League match last weekend, Ilfracombe Town forward Riley Malin suffered an "unbearable" double-leg break (tibia and fibula) following a 50-50 challenge. The sound of the break was described by the club chairman as being "like a shotgun going off."
While the club stated there is "no blame on Riley at all", Chairman Nick Jupp told BBC Radio 5 Live that he believes "if he had more coverage on the shin area with bigger shin pads, the injury could have been less than it was."
Immediate Ban Implemented
In response, Ilfracombe Town has prohibited "the use of micro shin pads across all age groups and squads, from youth teams through to senior teams."
The club stated: "This decision has been made in the interest of player safety and welfare, and to ensure that all players are equipped with protective gear that meets required safety standards."
A Growing Concern
While IFAB rules state that shin pads must provide a "reasonable degree of protection," they do not specify a minimum size. However, the English FA has warned that micro pads have the potential to "increase the risk of injury."
Ilfracombe Town is not alone; other grassroots clubs like Penistone Church have also banned the tiny pads, prioritizing player safety over the popular "low sock" aesthetic.
What do you think of this ban? Should micro shin pads be outlawed in professional football too? Let us know in the comments below.