Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron was sent off for covering his mouth when saying something to Mert Muldur during the first half of their World Cup match against Turkey
Miguel Almiron was sent off for covering his mouth during Paraguay’s match with Turkey
Miguel Almiron has become the first player to be shown a red card for covering their mouth during Paraguay’s match against Turkey at the World Cup. The former Newcastle United player was exchanging words with Mert Muldur when he used his hands to conceal what he was saying.
Covering your mouth became a red card offence after it was approved at a special meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in late April. FIFA opted to adopt the amendment at this summer’s tournament in a bid to prevent any discriminatory or inappropriate behaviour.
The sending off followed a VAR review that found Almiron covered his mouth while confronting Muldur. It happened in the second minute of added time, sparking a brief melee between the players.
Tensions were already high and flared again when the whistle went for the break, with players and staff clashing on the pitch before returning to their dressing rooms. Almiron is now set to be banned for Paraguay’s final group match against Australia next Friday.
Almiron and Paraguay will have little to complain about, as the rules clearly state that any act of a player covering their mouth would result in a red card.
IFAB describe the offence as ‘players covering their mouths in situations of confrontation with opponents’. They state that: “At the discretion of the competition organiser, any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card.”
Gianluca Prestianni prompted the alteration after lifting up his shirt while allegedly racially abusing Vinicius Junior. He denied racially abusing the Brazil international, but was punished for homophobic conduct.
UEFA ultimately found the Benfica player guilty and banned him for six matches. Three of those were suspended, and the winger was also provisionally suspended for one game.
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FIFA president Gianni Infantino told Sky News in March: “If a player covers his mouth and says something, and this has a racist consequence, then he has to be sent off, obviously.”
After its implementation, he posted on Instagram: “At a Special Meeting of The International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Vancouver, some key decisions were taken to protect the integrity of our game and ensure mutual respect continues to govern football at all levels.
“We unanimously agreed that at the discretion of the competition organiser, any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card.”
Infantino added: “I thank all stakeholders for your time, valuable inputs and alignment on these important matters which have been managed in a consultation process led by FIFA.
“These amendments will be implemented at the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 and all other competition organisers will be able to decide whether to implement the changes before they enter into force on 1 July 2026.”
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