Soccer-Paraguay's Almiron to serve one-game ban after red card for covering mouth


FILE PHOTO: Jun 19, 2026; Santa Clara, California, USA; Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron (10) during a Group D match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Turkiye at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images/File Photo

MIAMI, ⁠June 23 (Reuters) - Paraguay's Miguel Almiron ⁠will serve a one-game ban at the ‌World Cup after he received a red card for covering his mouth in a confrontation during ​their 1-0 win over ⁠Turkey in their ⁠second group game, FIFA said on Tuesday.

Almiron became ⁠the ‌first player sent off at the tournament for violating a ⁠new rule that forbids players from ​covering their ‌mouths during on-field confrontations.

• FIFA said ⁠the one-match ​suspension was for a breach of the FIFA Disciplinary Code that deals with unsporting ⁠behaviour towards an opponent ​or a person other than a match official.

• Almiron will serve the suspension in Paraguay's ⁠last group match against Australia on Thursday.

• FIFA said the decision is not subject to appeal.

• Following Almiron's red ​card, a football commentator ⁠was stripped of his World Cup credentials ​by FIFA after an ‌expletive-laden tirade against the organisation ​and match officials.

(Reporting by Rohith Nair in MiamiEditing by Toby Davis)

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