Paraguay Midfielder Almiron Receives First Red Card for Mouth-Covering Rule Violation

Red Card Incident at World Cup

During a match between Paraguay and Turkey, midfielder Miguel Almiron received a red card for covering his mouth while speaking. This occurred in stoppage time of the first half in a Group D match. Almiron’s action followed a foul near midfield where he exchanged words with Turkish player Mert Mulder. Mulder appealed to referee Ivan Barton, resulting in Barton’s decision to eject Almiron after video review.

New Rule Enforcement

The red card was issued according to a new rule established for this year’s World Cup: covering one’s mouth during conversations on the field can lead to immediate dismissal. Paraguayan coach Gustavo Alfaro accepted the situation, stating, “Red card according to the law, nothing more can be done.” Despite being a player down, Paraguay maintained their lead to secure a 1-0 victory.

Team Dynamics Post-Ejection

Alfaro expressed attempts to motivate Almiron post-game, noting that his exclusion brought a “fighting spirit” within the team. Almiron reportedly apologized to his teammates for the predicament his actions had created.

Rule Background and Potential Consequences

The rule was championed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino after incidents in other matches where players attempted to conceal insults by covering their mouths. Alfaro acknowledged the rule but warned that it might be excessive, impacting the essence of football, which naturally includes rivalry and confrontation.

Almiron’s red card guarantees his absence from Paraguay’s next match against Australia, a crucial game with second place in Group D at stake. FIFA may extend his suspension to include a potential knockout stage match. Alfaro hopes for minimal penalty, considering Almiron’s show of remorse. Almiron had already been subject to the new rule in an earlier match against the United States, earning a yellow card after video review.