Paraguay has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA after England midfielder Jude Bellingham avoided a red card for covering his mouth during a conversation with Ghana's Jordan Ayew in England's 0-0 World Cup draw on Tuesday night. The South American nation alleges that referees applied double standards, as Paraguay's Miguel Almiron was sent off for the same offence just days earlier.
New World Cup rule on covering mouth
For the 2026 World Cup, FIFA introduced a rule allowing referees to issue a red card to any player who speaks to an opponent while covering their mouth. The regulation was urgently implemented after Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni received a six-match ban from UEFA for using a homophobic slur toward Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr while covering his mouth during a Champions League match in February.
Last Saturday, Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron became the first player at this World Cup to be sent off for the offence. He was dismissed after speaking to Turkey's Mert Muldur with his mouth covered following a heated altercation between the teams. Almiron was not involved in the confrontation, but the video assistant referee (VAR) recommended a red card. The former Newcastle United midfielder is now banned for Paraguay's final Group D match against Australia.
Paraguay's complaint and FIFA's response
According to teleSUR, Paraguay has filed a complaint accusing officials of inconsistent application of the new rule. However, FIFA believes the law was correctly applied in Bellingham's case, as the England midfielder was not acting in a confrontational manner toward Ayew.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the rule, stating: 'This thing about covering the mouth is for us a very, very important rule. It's about respect. It's about the example that we should give. 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.'
Paraguay coach calls for level playing field
At a press conference on Tuesday, Paraguay head coach Gustavo Alfaro addressed Almiron's dismissal and called on FIFA to ensure fairness. 'We have no intention of getting involved in any controversy,' Alfaro said. 'The only thing we said at the time of Miguel's incident was that I saw two Turkish players who came and didn't ask me politely about the things they said to us on the bench… are we going to end up with some hairdresser's gossip? Hey, hey, come here, he's insulting me. What are we doing? Let's not distort the sport of football. That's it, it's over, period. We accept it, it's a rule. Luckily they gave us a date. Hopefully, as I said, we'll progress and have him available. That's where our part ends. I'm not a judge to decide if it's right or wrong. All I've always asked for is a level playing field. I told the referee the other day: 'Look, Turkey has more than enough of a team to beat us, let them beat us.' I want a level playing field. As for everything that happens outside, that's it, it's not our place to comment or get involved in that.'
Almiron's red card also prompted Paraguayan commentator Jorge 'Chipi' Vera to be banned for the remainder of the World Cup after an on-air rant directed at FIFA.
