The regulations prohibit players from wearing earrings in matches to prevent ear injuries. Estelle complied with the rule but struggled to remove her small earring from the top of her ear, and the referee prevented her from participating. Coach Rita Guarino commented: 'Estelle couldn't remove the earring, it was like a tattoo and needed a doctor's help to remove it, so they put a bandage on.' West Ham played with 10 players until Estelle returned without the earring, and they used a bandage as a replacement after blood came from the area. West Ham's new player, Frenchwoman Estelle Casparino (28), was unable to come on as a substitute in the second half of the 0-4 defeat to champions Chelsea due to wearing an earring on her upper ear.
