Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron has been handed a one-match suspension after becoming the first player in World Cup history to be sent off for covering his mouth. FIFA confirmed the decision on Tuesday, stating that Almiron will miss Paraguay's final Group Stage match against Australia on Thursday. The world soccer governing body also noted that the ruling is final and not subject to appeal.
Historic Red Card Incident
Almiron was issued a red card late in the first half of Paraguay's 1-0 victory over Turkiye last Friday. The incident occurred during a confrontation with Turkiye's Mert Mulder, when Almiron covered his mouth while speaking. Under new regulations introduced by FIFA, players are prohibited from covering their mouths to conceal what they are saying during confrontations, with violations resulting in an automatic dismissal.
This rule was championed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino following a high-profile incident in a Champions League match between Real Madrid and Benfica last season. In that game, Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth while directing verbal insults toward Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior. UEFA subsequently issued Prestianni a six-match ban—three of which were deferred—for what it termed “discriminatory (i.e. homophobic) conduct.”
Rule Background and Implementation
The International Football Association Board (IFAB), soccer's rulemaking panel, agreed in April that players can be penalized with a red card for covering their mouths during verbal confrontations. While the rule is not mandatory within the Laws of the Game, it gives competition organizers such as FIFA the option to enforce it. FIFA chose to adopt the rule for the World Cup, making it a strict liability offense.
On Tuesday, Infantino expressed strong support for the regulation. “This thing about covering the mouth is for us a very, very important rule,” he 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.”
Impact on Paraguay
Almiron's absence is a significant blow for Paraguay as they prepare for a crucial group stage match against Australia. With only one win so far, Paraguay needs a positive result to advance to the knockout stages. The team will have to adjust their tactics without their star midfielder, who has been a key player in their campaign.
The suspension also sets a precedent for future tournaments, as FIFA continues to enforce the mouth-covering rule strictly. Players and teams are now on notice that any attempt to hide verbal exchanges during confrontations will result in immediate dismissal and subsequent bans.
