The 2026 World Cup group stage match between Paraguay and Turkey concluded with a 1-0 victory for Paraguay, but it will be remembered for a groundbreaking refereeing decision. Paraguay took the lead early in the match with a goal from Matías Galarza in the 2nd minute. However, the first half was overshadowed by a controversial incident involving South American star Miguel Almirón.
Details: Almirón, currently playing for MLS side Atlanta United after his tenure with Newcastle, received a straight red card during stoppage time in the first half. This decision marks Almirón as the first player to be penalized under a new stringent rule implemented by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).
The incident occurred during a heated exchange, where Almirón approached an opponent and, with his mouth covered, appeared to make a statement. Following a review via VAR prompted by the assistant referees, referee Iván Barton from El Salvador issued the red card without hesitation.
This new regulation was introduced by IFAB to eliminate racist and offensive remarks that are challenging to prove on the field. The decision to reform the rules was accelerated by a recent scandal involving Vinícius Júnior and Gianluca Prestiani during a Champions League match. Under the new regulation, any deliberate action of covering one’s mouth while speaking to an opponent can lead to immediate dismissal.