Paraguay player red-carded for covering mouth
Key takeaways
- Miguel Almirón became the first player to be sent off for covering his mouth and speaking during an altercation when he was shown a red card in Paraguay's 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D match against Türkiye on Friday.
- He was sent off in the third minute of added time in the first half.
- Per the new law, if the conversation is in a friendly context, players can cover their mouths.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Miguel Almirón became the first player to be sent off for covering his mouth and speaking during an altercation when he was shown a red card in Paraguay's 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D match against Türkiye on Friday.
He was sent off in the third minute of added time in the first half. Almirón covered his mouth and appeared to speak to Türkiye right back Mert Muldur. After a short VAR review by Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton, he received a red card.
Referee Ivan Barton issues a red card to Miguel Almiron (#10) of Paraguay for covering his mouth during a confrontation. Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty ImagesThe Atlanta United midfielder was dismissed following a new law passed by the IFAB which states that "any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card."