Demand on Damian to remove ring

Perth Glory striker Damian Mori is likely to have his wedding ring cut off this week after the band on his finger kept him from playing against Melbourne Victory on Sunday in bizarre circumstances.

Mori was named in the starting line-up for the third consecutive match to play alongside Bobby Despotovski. Just moments before kick-off though referee, Mark Shield, informed the prolific striker that he was not allowed to play wearing the ring.

A frantic period ensued in which Mori and the Glory backroom staff desperately attempted to remove the item of jewellery. Head coach, Steve McMahon, remonstrated with Shield in a bid to allow his striker to play but the match started with ten Perth players on the pitch and Mori on the bench.

Due to previous injuries to his finger there was no possibility of Mori removing the ring there and then. McMahon was forced to substitute the player for Brian Deane in the fifth minute with Mori having played no part in the match.

FIFA regulations state that no player should be allowed to play while wearing any item of jewellery however Mori played the previous four Hyundai A-League matches with the ring taped up.

The Socceroos all-time leading goal scorer is playing for the Glory on a short-term contract in place of the injured David Tarka.

"I have been wearing my wedding ring for 11 years in national competition and I played the last four matches wearing it taped up," Mori said.

"There is no way I can take it off so it seemed like a ridiculous situation at the beginning of the match.

"It just seems that the authorities could show a bit of common sense in these situations. The worst thing was that I missed a game so I only have three games left now."

McMahon also expressed his disappointment regarding the situation and conceded that Mori would have to remove the ring.

"It was quite farcical. He would have had to get a hacksaw to cut his finger off and Damian was nearly prepared to do that. I have never known anything like it and Damian is going to have to get his ring cut off now so his wife probably won’t be happy but that is just the way it is," the Glory coach said.

Football Federation Australia stressed that FIFA's Laws of the Game state that the wearing of jewellery of any kind is not allowed and furthermore that taping jewellery is also not permitted.

This instruction was included in the 2005 FIFA Laws of the Game book and a memo detailing such was passed onto all Hyundai A-League clubs prior to the commencement of the Hyundai A-League Pre-Season Cup.

"Yesterday's situation involving Damian Mori was unfortunate however we are obliged to operate the competition strictly in accordance with the Laws of the Game and under FIFA's instruction," said FFA Head of Operations Matt Carroll.

"The onus is on the clubs and players to ensure that they comply with the Laws of the Game."

With the football authorities standing firm on the rules it looks like Mori will have his ring cut off ahead of this weekend’s trip to face Queensland Roar in Brisbane on Saturday.