Jude Bellingham Avoids the Same Fate as Miguel Almiron, Exposing the Confusing Reality of FIFA’s New Anti-Abuse Rule
Context is everything.
Jude Bellingham dodged a red card for covering his mouth during England’s FIFA World Cup match against Ghana – a decision that left fans scratching their heads after Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron became the first player sent off for the same gesture just days earlier. The confusion stems from FIFA’s new anti-abuse rule, which isn’t as straightforward as it seems.
While Almiron’s dismissal came amid a heated scuffle between players, Bellingham’s exchange with Ghana’s Jordan Ayew was nothing more than a casual chat, proving that context is everything under this rule. The rule itself was introduced ahead of this summer’s tournament to crack down on players hiding abusive or discriminatory language from officials and cameras.
According to The Athletic, FIFA president Gianni Infantino pushed for the change after Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni received a six-match ban for homophobic remarks directed at Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior during a Champions League match in February. The idea was to promote respect and set a better example.
The execution of the rule has been messy
Referees were instructed not to punish players automatically for covering their mouths – instead, they’re supposed to assess whether the conversation is confrontational. If it’s just a friendly chat, like Bellingham and Ayew’s, there’s no issue. But if it’s part of a heated exchange, like Almiron’s, a red card is on the table.
Bellingham’s moment came during a goalless draw with Ghana, where he and Ayew were caught on camera in what looked like a relaxed conversation. There was no tension, no pushing, and no sign of aggression – just two players talking. That’s why the referee let it slide.
FIFA’s referees chief, Pierluigi Collina, had made it clear before the tournament that normal conversations were still allowed. “If the conversation is a friendly conversation, they can continue to do it without any problem,” he said. “When the conversation is confrontational, covering the mouth means that you are doing something very wrong, potentially, and the sanction is the red card.”
Was Almiron’s red card warranted?
Almiron’s red card, on the other hand, happened in a completely different scenario. Paraguay’s Isidro Pitta had gone down after a challenge from Turkey’s Ismail Yuksek, sparking a scuffle between players from both teams. Almiron wasn’t directly involved in the pushing and shoving, but he covered his mouth while talking to Turkey’s Mert Muldur as the tension escalated.
Muldur immediately flagged the gesture to the assistant referee, and VAR stepped in to recommend the red card. Paraguay played the rest of the match with 10 men but still managed to secure a 1-0 win. Almiron’s one-match suspension means he’ll miss Paraguay’s final group game against Australia, though a longer ban could’ve been handed down if officials had found evidence of abusive language.
The inconsistency in how the rule is being applied has raised eyebrows. During almost every match at this World Cup, you’ll see players covering their mouths while talking to each other. Even referees do it. The key difference is whether the conversation is friendly or confrontational. In Bellingham’s case, it was clearly the former. With Almiron, the heated atmosphere of the moment made it the latter.
But the rule’s reliance on subjective judgment has led to questions about its reliability. Could a player exploit it to get an opponent sent off? Almiron’s dismissal suggests it’s possible. He didn’t appear aggressive, yet Muldur’s immediate reaction to the gesture led to a red card.
Infantino has been vocal about the rule’s importance
“This thing about covering the mouth is for us a very, very important rule,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said. “It’s about respect. It’s about the example that we should give. If you have nothing to hide, you don’t cover your mouth when you speak to somebody.”
But the rule’s optional nature means it might not stick around long-term. It’s only being enforced at the World Cup right now, and domestic leagues aren’t required to adopt it. The potential for inconsistency and abuse could make it too risky for other competitions to implement.
For now, players will have to tread carefully. Covering your mouth during a casual chat? Probably fine. Doing it in the middle of a scuffle? That’s a red card waiting to happen. The rule’s intent – to curb abusive language – is noble, but its execution has been anything but smooth.
Until FIFA refines the guidelines or leagues decide to adopt it, we’re likely to see more confusion like this on the pitch. Bellingham might’ve gotten lucky this time, but the next player caught covering their mouth might not be so fortunate.
(Featured image: Barcex)
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