Paraguay winger Miguel Almiron has become the first player to be sent off under a new FIFA World Cup rule that penalizes players for covering their mouths while speaking to opponents.
The incident occurred during Paraguay's group-stage match against Turkey in San Francisco. Shortly before half-time, Almiron was seen covering his mouth with his hand while speaking to Turkish defender Mert Muldur. Muldur immediately alerted a nearby official, prompting a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
After reviewing the incident, referee Ivan Barton announced that Almiron would be shown a red card. The decision left Paraguay with ten men for more than half of the match.
Despite the setback, Paraguay managed to hold on for a 1-0 victory over Turkey, keeping their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive. A win against Australia in their final group match would secure qualification for the last 32.
The rule is being enforced for the first time at the 2026 FIFA World Cup following its approval by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) earlier this year. FIFA President Gianni Infantino had previously expressed support for stricter measures against hidden verbal exchanges on the pitch, arguing that covering the mouth can make it difficult to identify inappropriate comments.
Under the regulation, referees have the authority to issue a red card if they believe a player has deliberately concealed communication in suspicious circumstances. The final decision remains at the referee's discretion after considering all available evidence.
The issue gained international attention earlier this year following an incident involving Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior during a Champions League match. That controversy contributed to growing calls for stronger enforcement against hidden on-field exchanges.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Almiron has been affected by a newly introduced rule during the tournament. In Paraguay's opening match against the United States, a VAR review overturned a booking given to an American defender and instead resulted in Almiron receiving a yellow card for simulation.
His latest dismissal has already sparked debate among fans and analysts, with some praising officials for enforcing the rules consistently, while others question whether the punishment was too severe. Regardless, the decision marks a historic first under one of football's newest regulations.
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