Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron was sent off for covering his mouth while saying something to Mert Mardur during the first half of the World Cup match against Turkey.
Miguel Almiron sent off for covering his mouth during Paraguay vs. Türkiye game
Miguel Almiron became the first player to be shown a red card for covering his mouth during the World Cup match between Paraguay and Turkey. The former Newcastle United player used his hands to hide his words during a verbal exchange with Mart Mulder.
Covering the mouth has become a red card offense after it was approved at a special meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in late April. FIFA has chosen to adopt this amendment at this summer’s tournaments to prevent discriminatory or inappropriate conduct.
A VAR review found that Almiron covered his mouth when he confronted Mardua and was sent off. It happened in the second minute of stoppage time and a brief scuffle broke out between the players.
Tensions had already been high and rose again at the whistle for the break, with players and staff clashing on the pitch before returning to the changing rooms. Almiron will be suspended from Paraguay’s final group game against Australia next Friday.
Almiron and Paraguay will have little to complain about, as the rules clearly state that a player covering their mouth will result in a red card.
IFAB described the attack as “players covering their mouths in a situation where they were confronted by an opponent.” “At the discretion of the tournament organizers, players who cover their mouths during confrontations with opponents may be given a red card.”
Gianluca Prestiani has prompted a correction after he pulled up his shirt during an alleged racial abuse of Vinicius Junior. Although he denied racially abusing the Brazil team, he was punished for homophobic behavior.
UEFA ultimately found the Benfica player guilty and handed him a six-game suspension. Three of them were suspended, with the winger also given a provisional suspension for one match.
Ivan Barton waved the red without hesitation after checking the VAR monitor (Image: Getty Images)
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FIFA president Gianni Infantino told Sky News in March: “If a player covers his mouth and says something and it has racist consequences, he should of course be sent off.”
After the enforcement, he posted the following on Instagram: “During a special meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Vancouver, several important decisions were taken to protect the integrity of our game and ensure that mutual respect continues to govern soccer at all levels.
“We unanimously agreed that, at the discretion of the tournament organisers, any player who covers his mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card.”
Paraguayan and Turkish players clashed multiple times during the match, including in the minutes after Miguel Almiron was given a red (Image: Getty Images)
Infantino added: “I would like to thank all parties who took the time to provide their valuable input and coordinate these important matters managed through a FIFA-led consultation process.”
“These amendments will be implemented for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, and all other competition organizers will be able to decide whether to implement the changes before they come into force on July 1, 2026.”
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