Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almirón became the first player to be sent off under FIFA’s new rule prohibiting players from covering their mouths during on-field confrontations.
The former Newcastle United player was shown a straight red card during Paraguay’s World Cup Group D clash against Turkey in Santa Clara, California, on Friday, June 21, after appearing to cover his mouth while directing comments at Turkish defender Mert Müldür.
The incident occurred in first-half stoppage time with Paraguay leading 1-0. Following a VAR review, the referee determined that Almirón had breached FIFA’s newly introduced regulation and issued a straight red card.
The dismissal marks the first enforcement of the rule, which FIFA introduced in April as part of a broader campaign to combat racism and discriminatory behaviour in football.
Under the regulation, players who deliberately cover their mouths while engaging in confrontations or exchanges with opponents can be sent off immediately. FIFA says the measure is intended to prevent players from concealing potentially abusive or discriminatory remarks, making investigations into such incidents more effective.
The rule was introduced following controversy during a Champions League match earlier this year involving Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior. Prestianni was accused of racially abusing the Brazilian star, allegations he denied. He was later handed a six-match suspension, with three matches suspended, for what authorities described as homophobic conduct.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino strongly defended the new policy when announcing it.
“If you do not have something to hide, you don’t hide your mouth when you say something. That’s it, as simple as that,” Infantino said.
Almirón’s dismissal is expected to reignite debate over the implementation of the rule, with fans, players and analysts likely to scrutinise how consistently it is enforced throughout the tournament.
Despite the setback, Paraguay continued their World Cup campaign against Turkey, although the red card significantly altered the balance of the match and quickly became one of the tournament’s most talked-about incidents.
