Paraguay Midfielder Dismissed Under New FIFA Rule
Miguel Almiron is the first player sent off at the World Cup for violating a new FIFA rule prohibiting players from covering their mouths during disputes.
Atlas Newsdesk ·
Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron was dismissed during a Group D World Cup match against Turkiye at San Francisco Stadium on Friday, becoming the first player sanctioned under a new FIFA regulation prohibiting the covering of mouths during on-field confrontations. The rule, approved by the International Football Association Board in April, was implemented to curb discriminatory slurs following high-profile incidents in European club competitions.
The dismissal occurred before halftime, forcing Paraguay to play with ten men for the remainder of the match. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Paraguay secured a 1-0 victory, effectively eliminating Turkiye from the tournament. The red card mandates that Almiron will miss Paraguay’s final group stage match against Australia on June 22.
The regulation is part of a broader suite of FIFA rule changes introduced for the tournament, including strict time limits for restarts and mandatory sideline delays for players receiving medical treatment. While Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro acknowledged the application of the rule, he expressed concern that such rigid enforcement risks diminishing the sport's traditional character. Players and officials noted that while the directive was communicated during pre-tournament briefings, the habit of covering one's mouth remains difficult for many athletes to break in high-pressure environments.