Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron became the first player to receive a red card under football’s new rule against covering the mouth while speaking to an opponent during a FIFA World Cup group-stage match against Turkey in San Francisco.The incident took place just before half-time with Paraguay leading 1-0. Almiron, 32, was seen covering his mouth with his hand while talking to Turkey defender Mert Muldur. Muldur immediately brought the matter to the attention of a nearby match official.After a review by the video assistant referee (VAR), referee Ivan Barton of El Salvador informed the crowd that Almiron was being sent off.The World Cup is the first major tournament where the new regulation is being enforced. The rule was approved during a special meeting of the International Football Association Board (Ifab) in Vancouver in April.FIFA president Gianni Infantino had previously supported the move, saying referees should work from a “presumption” that players have said “something they shouldn’t have” when they deliberately cover their mouths during conversations on the field.However, the final decision remains with the referee, who is expected to assess the circumstances of each incident before deciding whether a red card is warranted.The issue of players covering their mouths gained attention earlier this year during a UEFA Champions League match involving Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni and Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid. Prestianni raised his shirt while speaking to Vinicius and was later accused of racist abuse, an allegation he denied.After a UEFA investigation, Prestianni was found guilty of homophobic conduct rather than racist abuse and was handed a six-match suspension, with three matches suspended.This is not the first time Almiron has been affected by a newly introduced law at this World Cup. During Paraguay’s opening group-stage match against the United States, referee initially booked US defender Tim Ream for a foul on Almiron. However, following a VAR review, officials concluded that Almiron had simulated the incident, and the yellow card was instead shown to the Paraguayan player.
