Danny Rose wore holes in his socks during England’s third-place playoff in a move which baffled supporters watching at home.
The Tottenham defender, who played the first half of England’s 2-0 defeat against Belgium in St Petersburg, took to the field with large gaps in his socks.
There was no official explanation for his choice of kit although it was not thought to be related to the fine England received for wearing unauthorised socks.
FIFA fined England England 70,000 Swiss francs ($69,900) for a second time at the World Cup after players wore the kit with illegal sponsors against Croatia.
Danny Rose took to the field with large holes in his socks during the third-place playoff today
In the semi-final two England players wore a type of branded sock FIFA has cracked down on at this tournament.
The governing body said the ‘unauthorized commercial branding’ repeated a previous offense in England’s quarter-final win against Sweden, which also resulted in a 70,000 Swiss francs ($69,900) fine.
But it is not clear what prompted Rose’s choice of kit today, although some suggested it might have been to combat cramp.
Some players find the tall football socks too tight and cut the holes in order to reduce the tension in their calves, the Mirror reported.
Danny Rose is challenged by Kevin de Bruyne of Belgium during the third-place playoff today
Danny Rose’s bizarre choice of socks was mocked on social media after the Belgium game
Social media users were baffled by the bizarre socks, with one saying: ‘What are Danny Rose’s socks all about?’
Another poked fun at England’s struggles against Belgium, saying: ‘Not sure what has more holes, Danny Rose’s socks or England’s defence.’
And another wrote: ‘Danny Rose got his socks from lost property.’
Meanwhile journalist Adam Hurrey compared the socks to the logo of the 2018 World Cup.
England’s FA also received a warning for the misconduct of a small number of fans singing ‘political chants’ during its semifinals loss on Wednesday.
Officials did not say exactly what the offending chants were.
But it is believed the warning may relate to chants of ‘No Surrender’ during the national anthem, a reference to the IRA.
Fans were warned they could be banned for singing the words when England played the Republic of Ireland in 2015.