England midfielder Jude Bellingham was not sent off during the World Cup match against Ghana despite being photographed covering his mouth while speaking to Ghana's Jordan Ayew, sparking controversy over a new FIFA regulation.
The Incident
A picture captured Bellingham with his hand over his mouth while conversing with Ayew during the game. The image led to questions about whether the England star had violated a new World Cup rule introduced for the 2026 tournament.
Why Bellingham Escaped Sanction
Bellingham was not penalised because his interaction with Ayew was a friendly chat with no animosity. According to FIFA's head of referees, Pierluigi Collina, the rule only applies during confrontations. Collina clarified that players are still allowed to cover their mouths during friendly exchanges, but doing so during a confrontation implies potential wrongdoing.
The New Regulation
For the 2026 World Cup, FIFA introduced a law stating that a player can be sent off with a red card for hiding their mouth when speaking to an opponent during a confrontation. The rule was designed to prevent players from concealing abusive or discriminatory language.
First Offense Under the Rule
Paraguay's Miguel Almiron became the first player sent off under this rule during a heated match against Turkey, following a VAR review. His dismissal highlighted the strict enforcement of the regulation in confrontational situations.
Rule Catalyst
FIFA President Gianni Infantino requested the law after Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni received a six-match UEFA ban for homophobic abuse toward Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. The incident prompted FIFA to take a stand against hidden verbal abuse on the pitch.
Context Is Key
Collina emphasised that the rule's application depends on context. While covering the mouth during a friendly chat is permissible, doing so during a confrontation is considered an attempt to hide offensive remarks and warrants a red card.
