Almiron first player sent off for covering mouth

· BBC Sport

ByPhil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist
Published

Paraguay's Miguel Almiron became the first player to be shown a red card for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent during his side's World Cup group match against Turkey in San Francisco.

Almiron, 32, obscured his mouth with his hand while speaking to Turkey's Mert Muldur, who immediately informed an official standing next to him.

Following a check by the video assistant referee (VAR), referee Ivan Barton from El Salvador announced to the crowd that he was sending off the former Newcastle United winger.

The incident occurred just before half-time with Paraguay leading 1-0.

Commentating for BBC Radio 5 Live, former Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison said: "If you know the rules, you shouldn't do it. You've got to credit the referee and the VAR for making that decision.

"Not everyone would agree with it, but if those are the rules, you've got to stick by the rules."

Without Almiron for more than half of the match, Paraguay held on to beat Turkey 1-0.

They will qualify for the last 32 if they beat Australia in their final group game on Friday (03:00 BST).

Almorin apologised to team-mates - Paraguay coach

After the game, Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro did not argue with Almiron's dismissal but said his absence brought out the fighting spirit of his team who are at their first World Cup finals since 2010 when they were beaten by eventual champions Spain in the quarter-final

"According to the law, if you cover your mouth you're sent off. Red card," said the 63-year-old Argentine.

"There's nothing I can do about that. Unfortunately, we can't issue a new opinion on this.

"He [Almiron] apologised to the players for his mistake. He knew about the situation he had left his team-mates in with his actions."

The new rule is being implemented for the first time at the World Cup.

The decision to introduce it was taken during a special meeting of the International Football Association Board (Ifab) in Vancouver in April.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino had previously said he would welcome such a punishment being introduced and that referees should work from a "presumption" that players have said "something they shouldn't have".

The decision remains at the absolute discretion of the referee, who will consider all circumstances before issuing a red card.

The issue of players covering their mouths became high profile in February when Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni raised his shirt while speaking to Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr during a Champions League game.

The Argentina international was accused of racist abuse - which he denied - and provisionally banned for one match. Following a Uefa investigation, Prestianni was instead found guilty of homophobic conduct and banned for six matches - three of which were suspended.

Almiron had fallen foul of another new law during Paraguay's opening World Cup group match against the United States.

The referee on that occasion had initially booked US defender Tim Ream for fouling Almiron, but after a VAR review it was deemed that the Paraguayan had dived and he was shown a yellow card instead.

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