Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron has been handed a one-match suspension after becoming the first player in FIFA World Cup 2026 history to be sent off for covering his mouth during a confrontation.

FIFA confirmed on Tuesday that Almiron will miss Paraguay's final group game against Australia, with the decision not subject to appeal. The incident occurred late in the first half of Paraguay's 1-0 win over Turkey last Friday.

Under new regulations, players are prohibited from covering their mouths to conceal what they are saying during verbal altercations, with violations resulting in an automatic red card.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino pushed for the rule after a Champions League incident involving Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni, who tried to hide homophobic insults towards Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior. Prestianni later received a six-game ban.

Infantino defended the rule, stating: "If you have nothing to hide, you don't cover your mouth when you speak to somebody. The rules have been made very clear to everyone."

FIFA also revoked the World Cup accreditation of Paraguayan commentator Jorge Chipi Vera after he launched an expletive-laden tirade against the organization and match officials following Almiron's red card. Vera called Infantino and the referee "thieves" and accused them of "killing football."

Vera later apologized, saying: "I failed you in something fundamental: maintaining the composure and respect that this profession requires." The ban prevents him from participating in any World Cup coverage.

Source: www.aljazeera.com