Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron became the first player at the World Cup to be sent off for speaking to an opponent with his mouth covered after a heated altercation between the two teams.
Almiron was not involved in the confrontation, but the video assistant referee (VAR) stepped in to recommend a red card. The former Newcastle United midfielder is now banned for Paraguay's final game in Group D against Australia.
Paraguay were furious over Almiron's red card, and the incident led to a Paraguayan commentator, Jorge 'Chipi' Vera, being banned for the remainder of the World Cup for his on-air rant towards FIFA.
Paraguay has now lodged a complaint to FIFA, accusing officials of applying double standards to the two incidents. FIFA, however, believes the law was correctly applied in Almiron's case as the midfielder was not acting in a confrontational manner.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the decision, stating that the rule against covering one's mouth when speaking to an opponent is "about respect" and "the example that we should give." He emphasized that the rules have been made clear to everyone.
Paraguay's head coach, Gustavo Alfaro, called on FIFA to make the World Cup a "level playing field." He stated that his team has no intention of getting involved in any controversy and will accept the decision, but he expressed his desire for a fair and unbiased competition.
