England and Ghana played to a goalless draw in their World Cup group match, with midfielder Jude Bellingham captured covering his mouth while speaking to Ghana’s Jordan Ayew.
A new disciplinary rule allows officials to send off any player who obscures their mouth during a confrontation on the pitch. The regulation was introduced after a six‑match ban was imposed earlier this season for homophobic conduct during a Champions League fixture.
Midfielder Miguel Almirón became the first high‑profile case under the rule, receiving a red card after covering his mouth while engaged in a heated exchange with an opponent during England’s win over Turkey.
In contrast, Bellingham’s brief interaction with Ayew appeared friendly, and officials deemed it outside the scope of the new sanction.
The result marked England’s fourth consecutive draw in second‑group‑stage matches at major tournaments, a pattern Bellingham described as “second‑game fever.”
Addressing criticism, Bellingham emphasized the need to focus on performance, recover promptly, and maintain the team’s established mentality and attitude.
England will now review the match, aim to improve on their play, and prepare for the next fixture with the same resolve.
