World Cup: Miguel Almiron becomes 1st player to get red card for covering his mouth during confrontation

Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron grew to become the primary participant to be issued a pink card on the World Cup for protecting his mouth, getting despatched off throughout a confrontation late within the first half in opposition to Turkiye.

The infraction got here during first-half stoppage time in the Group D match on Friday night time when Almiron and Mert Mulder exchanged phrases following a foul close to midfield. Almiron lined his mouth whereas saying one thing to Mulder, who instantly appealed to referee Ivan Barton for punishment.

Barton went to video assessment and rapidly dominated that Almiron can be given a pink card and ejected below a brand new rule put in place for this yr’s World Cup.

Mert Muldur of Turkiye informs the referee of Miguel Almiron of Paraguay protecting his mouth throughout a confrontation within the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match
| Picture Credit score:
Getty Pictures through AFP

“In keeping with the regulation, should you cowl your mouth you are despatched off. Crimson card,” coach Gustavo Alfaro mentioned. “There’s nothing I can do about that. Sadly, we won’t difficulty a brand new opinion on this.”

Paraguay led 1-0 on the time and held on for the win regardless of enjoying a person down for the whole second half.

Alfaro mentioned he tried to cheer Almiron up after the sport, telling him his absence introduced out the “preventing spirit” of the crew.

“He apologised to the gamers for his mistake,” Alfaro mentioned. “He knew in regards to the state of affairs he had left his teammates in together with his actions. … It occurred and it occurred.”

Verbal insults

FIFA president Gianni Infantino pushed for the brand new rule after Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni tried to cover verbal insults towards Actual Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior in a Champions League sport.

Alfaro mentioned the crew was effectively conscious of the rule even when it is likely to be too harsh. “I worry we’re too strict and soccer loses its essence,” Alfaro mentioned. “In soccer, there’s frictions, fights, clashes.”

Almiron suspended

The pink card means Almiron will miss the ultimate group stage match in opposition to Australia, with second place in Group D on the road. FIFA may select to elongate a suspension to sideline Almiron for a knockout spherical match.

“I hope the penalty is he misses as few matches as doable,” Alfaro mentioned.

“He was very sorry and he was closely affected.”

That is the second time in two video games on the World Cup that Almiron has been carded below a brand new rule in place this yr. He bought a yellow card within the opening match in opposition to the USA after a video assessment overturned a yellow card issued to Tim Ream and gave it to Almiron as a substitute for diving.