FIFA also disqualified journalist Jorge Chipi Vera for criticizing Almiron’s red card during the broadcast.
Published June 23, 2026
Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron became the first player to be sent off for covering his mouth at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, receiving a one-match suspension.
FIFA announced on Tuesday that Almiron will miss Paraguay’s final group match against Australia on Thursday. World football’s governing body said the decision would not be subject to appeal.
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Almiron made history last Friday when he was given a red card for covering his mouth during a confrontation with Turkiye’s Mert Mrdur late in the first half of Paraguay’s 1-0 win.
Under the new rules, players will not be allowed to cover their mouths to cover up what they say during face-offs, and any violation will result in immediate ejection.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino pushed for the legislation following a high-profile incident during last season’s Champions League match between Real Madrid and Benfica.
Benfica’s Gianluca Prestiani tried to hide his abuse of Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.
UEFA subsequently suspended Prestiani for six games for “discriminatory (homophobic) conduct”, three of which were postponed.
Soccer’s rule-making committee, the International Football Association Board, agreed in April that players could be penalized with a red card if they cover their mouths when verbally confronting another player.
The rule is not mandatory under competition law, but it gives tournament organizers such as FIFA the option of using it.
Infantino said Tuesday he supports the new rules.
“Covering your mouth is a very important rule for us,” he told SNTV. “It’s about respect and the example we should set.
“If you have nothing to hide, you don’t cover your mouth when talking to someone. This is an important factor because the rules are very clear for everyone and everyone knows.”
Journalist sanctioned for on-air abuse over Almiron’s red card
FIFA also disqualified Almiron from the World Cup after soccer commentator Jorge Chipi Vela verbally abused the organization and match officials during Almiron’s sending off.
With Paraguay down to 10 men, furious broadcasters called Infantino and the referee “thieves” and accused them of “killing football”. He later apologized and said in X late Monday that the accreditation had been revoked.
“I had an emotional outburst during the broadcast of the match between Paraguay and Turkiye,” Vela said in a lengthy apology.
“In the midst of my dissatisfaction with the player’s expulsion from his country and the feeling that damage was being done to my national team, I made offensive and unacceptable expressions towards referees, FIFA and its authorities.”
Vela said the sanctions mean he will no longer be able to participate in his media’s coverage of the World Cup “both inside and outside the stadium” and will target “any kind of participation or coverage related to the World Cup”.
FIFA has not released an official statement on the matter, but it is highly unusual for the organization to suspend journalists.
Under former president Sepp Blatter, independent investigative reporter Andrew Jennings was banned from all FIFA events following allegations of corruption within FIFA, many of which were later substantiated in US courts.
Vela, who works for ABC Cardinal and ABC Television, also apologized to the sponsors that support the platform’s reporting, said he took full responsibility for his actions and had sent a letter of apology to FIFA.
“Questioning the rules or disagreeing with a referee’s decision never justifies losing control like I did,” he added.
“I failed you in something as basic as maintaining the composure and respect that this profession requires.”
