Miguel Almiron, Paraguay’s midfielder, became the first player to be sent off under FIFA’s new mouth-covering rule during a World Cup match against Turkiye on Friday.
The incident occurred late in the first half, after a confrontation between players was sparked by a foul on Paraguay’s Isidro Pitta. Referee Ivan Barton issued a straight red card to Almiron after a VAR review. While he was standing off to the side, he covered his mouth while speaking to Turkiye defender Mert Muldur. Muldur alerted the officials, which led to the VAR intervention and ultimately, Almiron’s ejection. This left Paraguay at a disadvantage, as they were leading 1-0 but now had to finish the game with just ten players.
### What is the New FIFA Rule?
FIFA introduced this rule for the 2026 World Cup to help prevent abusive or discriminatory language on the field. According to the new regulation, a player can receive a red card for covering their mouth while in a confrontational situation with an opponent. This measure aims to ensure that comments made are visible and accountable to officials, broadcasters, and disciplinary bodies.
Importantly, this rule does not apply in non-confrontational scenarios. FIFA has stated that players will not be penalized for covering their mouths in friendly chats, even with teammates from different national teams.
The new regulation was inspired by an incident involving Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica during a Champions League match against Real Madrid earlier this year, where he allegedly covered his mouth while making abusive remarks.
When announcing the rule in April, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) made it clear that competition organizers have the discretion to sanction players who cover their mouths during confrontations.
Over the years, players and coaches have often covered their mouths to keep tactical discussions away from the cameras. However, the lawmakers are now making a point to discourage such behavior in confrontational situations, especially when it relates to potential discriminatory comments.
Almiron’s red card against Turkiye marks the first well-known enforcement of this rule at a FIFA World Cup, setting an important precedent for the rest of the tournament.
