Paraguay's Almiron sent off under new FIFA 'mouth-covering' rule

Miguel Almiron made football history for the wrong reasons on Friday, becoming the first player to receive a red card under FIFA's new rule prohibiting players from covering their mouths during on-field confrontations. The incident occurred during Paraguay's World Cup Group D match against Turkiye in Santa Clara, California.

Almiron, a former Newcastle player, was dismissed in first-half stoppage time after he appeared to direct a comment at Turkiye's Mert Muldur while covering his mouth. A VAR review confirmed the decision, which came when Paraguay was leading 1-0.

FIFA announced the new regulations in April, aiming to curb unsporting behavior during player interactions. The rule targets instances where players might be seen to be inciting opponents or officials. Almiron's dismissal highlights the immediate impact of these stricter guidelines on player conduct during international competitions.