Jude Bellingham risked a red card under a controversial new World Cup rule during England’s goalless draw with Ghana – while Declan Rice was spotted limping after the match, adding to the Three Lions’ fitness concerns.
England failed to repeat the performance that overpowered Croatia in their first World Cup game as they were held to a resolute Ghana side at Boston Stadium. Midway through the game, Bellingham cut a frustrated figure and was seen talking to Ghana’s Jordan Ayew with his hand over his mouth. Under a rule approved at the FIFA Congress in April, covering your mouth to talk during a confrontational situation with an opponent or official is now against the rules. The new regulation was proposed by FIFA after Real Madrid and Brazil star Vinicius Junior was allegedly addressed by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni while the Argentinian’s mouth was covered during a Champions League match in February. Prestianni was given a six-match ban after admitting using homophobic language; Vinicius’ allegation of racism was found not proven by UEFA’s control, ethics and disciplinary body.
“Jude Bellingham risked a red card for mouth-covering as England drew 0-0 with Ghana; Declan Rice spotted limping.”
Paraguay winger Miguel Almiron became the first player to be sent off for the offence during his side’s win over Turkey last Friday. Paraguay head coach Gustavo Alfaro said after the game that Almiron had apologised to his fellow players. “According to the law, if you cover your mouth, you’re sent off. Red card. There’s nothing I can do about that,” Alfaro said. “He apologised to the players for his mistake. He knew about the situation he had left his team-mates in with his actions.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino later voiced his support for the rule. “This thing about covering the mouth is for us a very, very important rule,” Infantino told SNTV. “It’s about respect; it’s about the example that we should give. If you have nothing to hide, you don’t cover your mouth when you speak to somebody. The rules have been made very clear to everyone, everyone knows them, so this is an important element.”
It remains unclear what the nature of Bellingham’s conversation with Ayew was, but the Real Madrid star was not punished by the referee. However, England’s night took another worrying turn when Declan Rice was spotted limping after the match. The Arsenal midfielder has spoken openly about his ongoing fitness struggles since arriving at the World Cup camp, leaving manager Thomas Tuchel with a potential injury headache as England’s final group fixtures loom.