Removal of underline as a focus mechanism

Hello

Would the removal of an underlined be considered a focus mechanism? 1.4.11 non text contrast specifies that in combination with 2.4.7 focus visible, the focus mechanism must have sufficient contrast against the adjacent background. Well the removal of an underline achieves precisely the opposite... you could argue it's a non-focused mechanism, and therefore, the removal of it indicates focus.

Where do we stand on this please?

Likewise surely this is the same as say a black button border which is rounded off on focus - so the sharp corners are just smoothed down which again is the removal of stuff to create a shape change - can be very hard to detect. But I wouldn't have thought it came directly under focus-visible/non-text contrast?

Thanks

Sarah

Sent from Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>