The first-ever "covering mouth red card" in World Cup history has been officially issued!

The data behind the rules

• Almiron was sent off : 48'
• Match : Turkey vs. Paraguay
• Prestiani suspended for 6 matches
• Match pause : 10 minutes
• Rule passed in : Vancouver
• Teams notified : 48

The first person to violate it

In the 48th minute of the first half of the match between Turkey and Paraguay, the referee blew his whistle and showed Miguel Almiron a straight red card, sending him off. The referee did not issue a second yellow card or activate the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Almiron had simply covered his mouth with his hand during a confrontation; this action cost him dearly in the match.

He didn't break the rules. He simply believed in the new rule from the International Football Association Board (IFAB)—any player covering their mouth during a conflict would be shown a straight red card. Almiron's experience reveals a little-known but unwelcome fact: he was the first player in World Cup history to be sent off under this rule.

Why is covering one's mouth considered a criminal act?

This is a crucial point that most people overlook. This rule didn't come out of thin air. It originated from a night at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon when a Champions League match sparked a riot in the Benfica ultras' section.

Vinicius Junior celebrated a goal near the corner flag in the home fans' section. Benfica players protested, leading to a confrontation, and Vinicius was shown a yellow card by referee François Lessier. Just before the match was about to restart, Vinicius accused Argentine winger Prestiani of racism. Mbappe voiced his support. Anti-racism proceedings were immediately initiated, and the match was suspended for ten minutes. During this time, Giomeni and Mbappe protected Vinicius, and even José Mourinho approached him to speak.

The incident stemmed from allegations that Prestiani covered Mbappe's mouth with his jersey and verbally abused him. Mbappe later stated that he heard the word "macaco" (monkey) five times. Prestiani denied this claim, insisting, through the testimony of Chuameni, that he said "maricón" (monkey), not "mono" (monkey). UEFA rejected this explanation and imposed a six-match ban on him.

The key is covering your mouth with your jersey. When players cover their mouths, no one can prove what they said. Two months after the Lisbon World Cup, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) met in Vancouver and decided to completely eliminate any doubts: covering your mouth during a conflict results in disqualification, without any explanation. All 48 teams participating in the 2026 World Cup received this rule.

How the Treaty of Lisbon evolved into World Cup law

• After scoring , Vinicius celebrated near the corner flag – right next to Benfica's ultras. The home team players protested, a clash ensued, and Lechir showed Vinicius a yellow card.
• Vinicius and Mbappe accused referee Prestiani of racial discrimination and fouls . The match was suspended for 10 minutes as a result, and a racial discrimination investigation was launched.
• Prestiani's gesture of pulling his shirt to his mouth—allegedly to cover his face and insult Vinicius—cannot be confirmed by camera.
• Verdict : UEFA bans Prestiani for 6 matches – Mbappe claims he heard “macaco” (Spanish for “monkey”) five times, while Prestiani claims he heard “maricón” (Spanish for “maricón”).
• Two months later , the International Football Association Council held a vote in Vancouver—covering one's mouth during a conflict would automatically be considered red.
• Almiron was sent off in the 48th minute of the World Cup – he was the first player to be sent off under the new rules in the match between Turkey and Paraguay.

What practical changes will this bring to the field?

• The real trigger was the cover-up, not the words themselves. Referees no longer needed to read lips or prove what was said—the gestures themselves constituted a foul.
• This rule only applies to "conflict situations," therefore, players covering their mouths and whispering tactical discussions during a free kick does not fall under the category of a red card. The actual decision on whether to issue a red card depends on the specific circumstances of the conflict.
• Almiron's example shows that habits are deeply ingrained and difficult to change. What used to be insignificant reflexes can now result in an entire match with the bench empty.
• The coach is expected to thoroughly correct this behavior of the players – keeping their hands visible in any tense moment is now a way of self-protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will covering your mouth get you sent off now?

No. This rule specifically targets players who cover their mouths during conflict or heated arguments. Its purpose is to prevent players from covering their mouths, thus making it impossible to verify whether abusive or provocative language has been used. This rule will not be triggered in calm situations.

Why did the punishment of Prestiani fail to solve the problem?

Because the core issue remains unresolved. Since he covered his mouth with his jersey, it's impossible to clearly prove what he said – Mbappe claims he said "macaco" (Spanish for "monkey") five times, while Prestiani said "maricón" (Spanish for "Maricon"). UEFA still has him under a six-match ban, but the International Football Association Board (IFAB) wants to completely eliminate this gray area.

Did Almiron really say anything racist?

The material did not specify. He was sent off with a red card for covering his mouth during the altercation, which, under the new rules, is sufficient to warrant a red card in itself—regardless of what he said (if anything).

Will this rule still be in effect during the 2026 World Cup?

Yes. The rule has been approved at a special meeting of the International Rugby Council in Vancouver, and all 48 countries participating in the 2026 World Cup have been officially notified.

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