England Star Jude Bellingham Gets Leniency on New Rule After Covering Mouth

England's star player Jude Bellingham found himself at the center of controversy during a recent match against Ghana, where he narrowly escaped a red card. Bellingham instinctively covered his mouth during a verbal altercation with members of the opposing coaching staff. While his actions prevented lip-reading, they also violated a new World Cup rule prohibiting players from covering their mouths during confrontations, a measure intended to prevent insults.

The referee's decision not to issue a red card to Bellingham, which could have resulted in a one-match suspension, ignited a heated debate about double standards in officiating. This scrutiny intensified when Paraguayan player Miguel Almirón was sent off for the identical offense earlier in the tournament, a moment that went viral on social media due to the referee's dramatic announcement of the decision.

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Jude stood up for himself and for us as a team.

England's coach, Thomas Tuchel, came to Bellingham's defense, arguing that there was no grounds for a red card as the player was "standing up for himself and for us as a team." However, Tuchel has previously voiced concerns about Bellingham's temperament. Since taking over the Three Lions earlier in 2025, Tuchel has noted Bellingham's sometimes impulsive and self-assured demeanor, which he described as potentially "off-putting."

Tuchel's criticism, for which he later apologized to Bellingham, has persisted. He notably excluded Bellingham from the squad last autumn despite the player's recovery from injury and has even questioned his starting position, preferring Morgan Rogers at times. Tuchel has not unequivocally guaranteed Bellingham's participation in the World Cup, despite the player's status as a Champions League winner with Real Madrid. This situation highlights the ongoing tension between Bellingham's undeniable talent and his sometimes-problematic on-field conduct.

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His behavior can be 'off-putting'.