Paraguay Midfielder Sent Off at World Cup for Covering Mouth

Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron was shown a red card during his team's World Cup match against Turkey after covering his mouth while speaking to Turkey's Mert Muldur. The dismissal followed a late tackle by Turkey's Ismail Yuksek that left Paraguay's Isidro Pitta injured. Video assistant referees recommended the red card, making Almiron the first player sanctioned under the new rule.

FIFA head of referees Pierluigi Collina said players may cover their mouths during friendly exchanges but face ejection for confrontational ones. "When the conversation is confrontational, covering the mouth means that you are doing something very wrong, potentially, and the sanction is the red card," Collina stated.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino described the rule as very important for respect and setting an example. "If you have nothing to hide, you don't cover your mouth when you speak to somebody," Infantino said.

England midfielder Jude Bellingham covered his mouth while speaking to Ghana's Jordan Ayew during a 0-0 World Cup draw in Boston on Tuesday but avoided a red card. The distinction rested on the non-confrontational nature of that exchange. Almiron now faces a one-match suspension and will miss Paraguay's final group-stage fixture against Australia.