Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron has become the first player in history to be sent off for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent.
The incident occurred during Paraguay’s World Cup group stage match against Turkey in San Francisco, producing a landmark moment in the sport.
Almiron, 32, obscured his mouth with his hand while addressing Turkey’s Mert Muldur, who immediately alerted an official standing nearby.
Referee Ivan Barton from El Salvador consulted the video assistant referee before formally announcing the red card decision to the crowd.
The dismissal came at a critical moment, arriving just before half-time with Paraguay holding a 1-0 lead over their opponents.
Despite playing more than half the match with ten men, Paraguay held on to record a 1-0 victory over Turkey and keep their last-16 hopes alive.
The new rule is being implemented for the first time at a World Cup, having been introduced at a special meeting of the International Football Association Board in Vancouver in April.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino had previously stated he would welcome such a punishment, arguing that referees should work from a “presumption” that players covering their mouths have said “something they shouldn’t have.”
Commentating on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison said: “If you know the rules, you shouldn’t do it. You’ve got to credit the referee and the VAR for making that decision.”
Morrison added: “Not everyone would agree with it, but if those are the rules, you’ve got to stick by the rules.”
The decision to issue a red card remains entirely at the referee’s discretion, with officials expected to consider all circumstances before reaching a conclusion.
The issue of mouth-covering first drew widespread attention in February when Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni raised his shirt while speaking to Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr during a Champions League game.
Prestianni was initially accused of racist abuse, which he denied, but a Uefa investigation ultimately found him guilty of homophobic conduct, resulting in a six-match ban, three of which were suspended.
This is not the first time Almiron has found himself at the centre of a controversial ruling at this World Cup, having been shown a yellow card for diving in Paraguay’s opening group game against the United States.
In that earlier match, US defender Tim Ream was initially booked for fouling the Paraguayan, but a VAR review determined that Almiron had gone to ground without contact, leading to the card being reversed.
Paraguay will secure their place in the last 32 if they beat Australia in their final group fixture on Friday.
