Miguel Almiron becomes first victim of ‘strange’ new FIFA rule at World Cup

Miguel Almiron became the first player to be sent off for covering his mouth following a dispute with an opposing player.

The ex-Newcastle star lined up for Paraguay in their 1-0 win over Turkey, however his match came to a premature end late in the first half.

Miguel Almiron was escorted down the tunnel by Paraguay staffGetty Miguel Almiron was dismissed for covering his mouth in a confrontation with a Turkey playerITV Sport

Paraguay had already broken the deadlock when Paraguay star Isidro Pitta went down following a clash with an opponent.

Turkey players did not take kindly to Pitta’s claims with some telling him to get back on his feet believing he was feigning injury.

Pitta’s teammates quickly arrived on the scene in support, however it led to a bigger conflict between the two sets of players.

Almiron was then seen covering his mouth while appearing to direct words to Turkey’s Mert Muldur.

That saw the Fenerbahce star signal to the referee Ivan Barton to check the VAR monitor.

Why was the rule introduced?

It comes after FIFA introduced a new rule that forbids players from covering their mouth when talking to opponents in confrontational situations.

Following a VAR check, Barton subsequently showed Almiron a red card leaving the 32-year-old stunned as he left the pitch.

FIFA opted to implement the rule ahead of the World Cup in response to the Champions League fallout involving Real Madrid and Benfica in February.

The anti-abuse rule was passed after Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior alleged Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni made a racist comment while covering his mouth, after the Brazilian had opened the scoring for his side.

The Argentine midfielder denied the accusations levelled at him.

Vinicius Junior and Gianluca Prestianni clashed in a Champions League tie in FebruaryGetty

Harsh on Almiron

Discussing Almiron’s dismissal on the Weekend Sports Breakfast, ex Chelsea and Marseille striker Tony Cascarino took sympathy with the winger and admits he has concerns with the new FIFA rule.

“I felt a bit strange because it was brief. Almiron puts his hand over his mouth and the Turkish player lets him (referee) know. Do you have to do that?” Cascarino said.

“Look, the rules are the rules and we’re all playing by the so-called laws of the game and he has to send him off.

“No one knows what was said so we’ll have to wait on that one but the fact that you don’t have to say anything, if you put your hand over your mouth you can be red carded.

“They say if you’re covering your mouth and your tone or the way you’re acting is aggressive, then that is the reason (for a dismissal).

“I didn’t see Almiron acting aggressive I just saw him cover his mouth and the Turkish player has pointed to the ref saying ‘he’s covered his mouth’.

Almiron was consoled by his teammates immediately after his dismissalGetty

“It’s like a player showing a yellow card to the referee.

“When I saw that (the rule) initially before the tournament started, I was like ‘that’s a strange rule’.

“I get it if something is heard but we have to have the context of what has happened.”

Paraguay’s 1-0 win puts them in contention to reach the knockout rounds heading into their final group stage match against Australia.

There will be no such opportunity for Turkey who are now eliminated from the World Cup.

Even if they were to beat the United States in their final match, Turkey would remain rooted to the bottom of Group D via the head-to-head rule.