Carlsen disqualified from World Championship because of - clothes!?
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 28.12.24. | 13:33
When you're such a big fan of jeans and you just don't accept anything else
Five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen has been disqualified from the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship in New York for his refusal to comply with FIDE's dress code after turning up in jeans.
The defending champion was fined 200 dollars for wearing those trousers at first, which are 'explicitly prohibited' under tournament regulations. When he refused the request to change his clothing immediately by chief arbiter Alex Holowczak, Carlsen was disqualified from the championship taking place at Wall Street.
FIDE statement regarding Magnus Carlsen’s dress code breach
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 27, 2024
FIDE regulations for the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, including the dress code, are designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants.
Today, Mr. Magnus Carlsen breached the dress code… pic.twitter.com/SLdxBpzroe
In a statement, FIDE emphasised that the dress code rules are well-communicated to all participants and designed to ensure professionalism.
"The dress code regulations are drafted by members of the FIDE Athletes Commission, which is composed of professional players and experts. These rules have been in place for years and are well-known to all participants and are communicated to them ahead of each event," FIDE said in the statement which was posted on X before adding:
"Today, Mr. Magnus Carlsen breached the dress code by wearing jeans, which are explicitly prohibited under long-standing regulations for this event. The Chief Arbiter informed Mr. Carlsen of the breach, issued a USD200 fine, and requested that he change his attire.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Carlsen declined, and as a result, he was not paired for round nine. This decision was made impartially and applies equally to all players."
On the other hand, Carlsen said he's 'pretty tired' of FIDE's dress code policies.
"I am pretty tired of FIDE, so I want no more of this. I don't want anything to do with them. I am sorry to everyone at home, maybe it's a stupid principle, but I don't think it's any fun," Carlsen told Norwegian broadcasting channel NRK.
"I said I don't want to bother changing now, but I can change until tomorrow, that's fine. But they didn't want to compromise. I've reached a point where I am pretty upset with FIDE, so I didn't want to either. Then that's how it goes," he added.
