Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron became the first player in football history to be shown a red card for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent, during his side’s World Cup group match against Turkey in San Francisco.
The 32-year-old former Newcastle United winger obscured his mouth with his hand while addressing Turkey’s Mert Muldur, who immediately alerted an official standing nearby. After a check by the video assistant referee (VAR), referee Ivan Barton from El Salvador announced the dismissal just before half-time, with Paraguay leading 1-0.
“Paraguay's Miguel Almiron becomes first player sent off for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent at the World Cup.”
Commentating for BBC Radio 5 Live, former Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison said: “If you know the rules, you shouldn’t do it. You’ve got to credit the referee and the VAR for making that decision. Not everyone would agree with it, but if those are the rules, you’ve got to stick by the rules.”
The new rule is being implemented for the first time at the World Cup, following a special meeting of the International Football Association Board (Ifab) in Vancouver in April. Fifa president Gianni Infantino had previously said he would welcome such a punishment and that referees should work from a “presumption” that players who cover their mouths have said “something they shouldn’t have”. The decision remains at the absolute discretion of the referee, who must consider all circumstances before issuing a red card.
The issue of players covering their mouths became high profile in February, when Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni raised his shirt while speaking to Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr during a Champions League game. Prestianni was accused of racist abuse – which he denied – and provisionally banned for one match. Following a Uefa investigation, he was instead found guilty of homophobic conduct and banned for six matches, three of which were suspended.
Almiron had already fallen foul of another new law during Paraguay’s opening group match against the United States. The referee initially booked US defender Tim Ream for fouling Almiron, but after a VAR review it was deemed that the Paraguayan had dived and he was shown a yellow card instead.
Despite being a man down for more than half of the match, Paraguay held on to beat Turkey 1-0. They will qualify for the last 32 if they beat Australia in their final group game on Friday (03:00 BST).