SANTA CLARA — Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almirón has become the first player in FIFA World Cup history to be issued a red card for covering his mouth during an on-field confrontation. The incident occurred during Paraguay’s Group D match against Turkey on Friday, setting a historic and controversial precedent for the 2026 tournament.
The Incident
The dismissal took place late in the first half following a scuffle involving Almirón and Turkey’s Mert Müldür. While the initial altercation was not immediately penalized by the referee on the pitch, a VAR intervention alerted El Salvador official Iván Barton to the fact that Almirón had covered his mouth while speaking to his opponent in what was deemed a "confrontational manner."
Following the review, Barton issued a straight red card, ending Almirón’s participation in the match and potentially impacting his availability for future fixtures.
Understanding the 'Prestianni Law'
This officiating decision marks the first major application of a new regulation introduced by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in April 2026. The rule was established to combat the use of potentially discriminatory or abusive language that players often attempt to mask from television cameras and lip-readers.
The regulation, widely referred to in football circles as the "Prestianni Law," follows a high-profile incident in the 2026 UEFA Champions League knockout stages, where Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni was accused of directing racial abuse toward Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior while shielding his mouth.
Official Stance
Under the new guidelines, competition organizers have been empowered to strictly enforce sanctions against such behavior. The IFAB statement regarding the rule amendment reads:
"At the discretion of the competition organiser, any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card."
While players and managers have historically covered their mouths to hide tactical instructions, officials have been instructed to distinguish between tactical communication and behavior intended to hide verbal abuse during heated moments. The dismissal of Almirón signals FIFA’s intent to maintain a high standard of conduct and transparency throughout the 2026 World Cup, regardless of the severity of the language used.
