Why was Miguel Almiron sent against Turkey? FIFA’s new rule makes World Cup history
Miguel Almiron became the first victim of FIFA’s new mouth-covering rule after the Paraguay midfielder was sent off during his team’s World Cup match against Turkey on Friday.
Almiron was shown a straight red card by referee Ivan Bartona following a VAR review late in the first half. The incident occurred during a heated exchange with Turkiye defender Mert Muldur after a foul on Paraguay forward Isidro Pitta sparked a confrontation between the players.
Turkey vs Paraguay, FIFA World Cup 2026: UPDATES
Standing aside from the main fray, Almiron could be seen covering his mouth with his hand as he spoke to Muldur. The Turkiye defender immediately alerted the match officials, prompting a VAR intervention. After watching the footage on the pitch monitor, Barton issued a straight red card to reduce Paraguay to 10 men.
The sending off came when Paraguay were leading 1-0 and left them man down for the rest of the game.
WHAT IS THE NEW FIFA RULE?
FIFA introduced the regulation ahead of the 2026 World Cup as part of efforts to combat offensive or discriminatory language on the pitch.
According to this rule, a player who covers his mouth with his hand, arm or shirt in a confrontational situation with an opponent can show a red card. The law is intended to prevent players from withholding comments that cannot be verified by match officials, broadcasters or disciplinary bodies.
However, the rule does not apply to non-conflict situations. FIFA clarified that players will not be penalized for covering their mouths during friendly conversations, including exchanges with club teammates representing different national teams.
The regulation was introduced following an incident involving Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni during a Champions League knockout match against Real Madrid earlier this year. Prestianni reportedly covered his mouth when he directed the abuse at Vinicius Junior, making it difficult for officials to determine exactly what was said.
When the rule was announced in AprilThe International Football Association Board (IFAB) said: “At the discretion of the competition organiser, any player who covers his mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be subject to a red card.”
Players and coaches have routinely covered their mouths during interviews for years to prevent tactical discussions from being caught on TV cameras. However, football lawmakers have decided to crack down on the practice when it occurs during confrontations, particularly in cases involving potential abuse or discriminatory remarks.
Almiron’s appeal against Turkiye is now the first major example of the rule being enforced at the FIFA World Cup, setting a precedent for the players for the rest of the tournament.
Football World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | football news
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
20 Jun 2026 09:54 IST