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| Miguel Almiron remonstrates with referee Ivan Barton IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Darren Yamashita |
Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron has become the first player to be issued a red card at the World Cup for covering his mouth, under a new rule from Fifa.
The infraction came during first-half stoppage time as Paraguay played Turkey, with Almiron and defender Mert Mulder exchanging words on the pitch following a foul.
Almiron covered his mouth while saying something to Mulder, who immediately appealed to referee Ivan Barton for punishment.
A new law passed by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in April states that "any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card".
Barton reviewed the video and quickly ruled that Almiron should be sent off
Fifa president Gianni Infantino pushed for the new rule after Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni tried to hide verbal insults towards Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior in a Champions League game earlier this year.
The IFAB said it was approving the rule in a bid to address discriminatory and inappropriate behaviour in football.
Paraguay were leading 1-0 at the time, and managed to hold on for the win despite playing a man down for the entire second half.
After the game, Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro said Almiron had apologised to his team for his mistake and told him his absence brought out the “fighting spirit” of the team.
The red card means Almiron will miss the side's final group stage match against Australia with second place in Group D on the line.
"He knew about the situation he had left his teammates in with his actions. It happened and it happened," Alfaro said.
This is the second time in two games at the World Cup that Almiron has been carded under a new rule in place this year.
He got a yellow card in the side's opening match against the United States after video review overturned a yellow card issued to Tim Ream and gave it to Almiron instead for diving.
This year's World Cup has also already seen more red cards than in the two tournaments previous, with six given to players so far - and Qatar receiving two in the same game.
- ITV News
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