SANTA CLARA — Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almirón became the first player to be sent off under FIFA’s new mouth-covering rule during his team’s 1-0 World Cup victory over Turkey on Friday.
The incident occurred during first-half stoppage time when Almirón exchanged words with Turkey defender Mert Müldür following a foul near midfield. Almirón covered his mouth while speaking, prompting Müldür to appeal to referee Iván Barton.
After reviewing the incident on video, Barton issued a straight red card under a new regulation introduced for the 2026 World Cup.
“According to the law, if you cover your mouth you’re sent off. Red card,” Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro said. “There’s nothing I can do about that.”
Paraguay had already taken the lead through Matías Galarza and managed to hold on for victory despite playing the entire second half with 10 men.
Alfaro said Almirón was devastated after the match and apologized to his teammates.
“He apologized to the players for his mistake,” Alfaro said. “He knew about the situation he had left his teammates in with his actions.”
FIFA introduced the rule after concerns about players using hand gestures to conceal verbal insults or abusive language during matches. FIFA president Gianni Infantino supported the measure following an incident involving Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior in the Champions League.
Despite understanding the rule, Alfaro questioned whether the punishment was too severe.
“I fear we are too strict and football loses its essence,” the Paraguay coach said. “In football, there’s friction, fights and clashes.”
The suspension means Almirón will miss Paraguay’s final Group D match against Australia, with qualification for the knockout stage still at stake. FIFA could also decide to extend the suspension beyond one match.
“I hope the penalty is he misses as few matches as possible,” Alfaro said. “He was very sorry and he was heavily affected.”
The incident marked the second disciplinary punishment for Almirón at the tournament. In Paraguay’s opening match against the United States, he received a yellow card for simulation after a VAR review overturned a booking initially shown to American defender Tim Ream.
Source: Saudi Gazette