Paraguay has filed a formal complaint to FIFA after England midfielder Jude Bellingham escaped a red card for covering his mouth during a conversation with Ghana's Jordan Ayew in Tuesday's 0-0 World Cup draw. The incident has sparked accusations of double standards, as Paraguay's Miguel Almiron was sent off for the same offence just days earlier.
New World Cup rule targets mouth-covering
This year's World Cup introduced a rule allowing referees to send off players who speak to an opponent while covering their mouth. The measure was urgently adopted after Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni received a six-match ban from UEFA for using a homophobic slur towards 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 the tournament to be dismissed under the new rule. He was shown a red card after speaking to Turkey's Mert Muldur with his mouth covered following a heated altercation between the teams. The video assistant referee (VAR) intervened to recommend the sending-off, even though Almiron was not involved in a confrontation. The former Newcastle United player is now suspended for Paraguay's final Group D match against Australia.
Paraguay accuses FIFA of double standards
According to teleSUR, Paraguay has lodged a complaint with FIFA, alleging that officials applied the rule inconsistently. The incident also led to Paraguayan commentator Jorge ‘Chipi’ Vera being banned for the remainder of the World Cup after an on-air rant against FIFA.
FIFA, however, maintains that the law was correctly applied in Bellingham's case, as the England midfielder was not acting in a confrontational manner towards Ayew. FIFA President Gianni Infantino reiterated the importance of 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 the controversy, calling on FIFA to ensure a 'level playing field' at the World Cup. '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.'
Alfaro added: '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.'
Impact on Group D and wider tournament
Almiron's suspension could prove costly for Paraguay as they face Australia in a crucial Group D decider. Meanwhile, Bellingham remains available for England's next match. The controversy has reignited debate over the new rule, with some questioning its consistency and enforcement. FIFA has not yet publicly responded to Paraguay's complaint.
