🤦 No lesson from Vini Jr.: World Cup star sent off for hand over mouth!
· Yahoo Sports
Türkiye and Paraguay are currently producing one of the most intense — and most hotly contested — matches of this World Cup! Ever since the South Americans took an early 1-0 lead, the game has been defined above all by time-wasting, fouls, and minor altercations.
Visit truewildgame.com for more information.
However, calling what Miguel Almirón did in first-half stoppage time a minor altercation would be a huge understatement. During a stoppage, the Paraguayan clashed with Türkiye star Mert Müldür. With his hand over his mouth, Almirón had a few words with his opponent (presumably not very nice ones).
The new FIFA rule banning players from communicating with a hand in front of their mouth seemed to have completely slipped the 32-year-old’s mind in that moment. As a result, VAR intervened and Almirón was shown a straight red card.
That makes the veteran the first player to be sanctioned under the new rules. The reason for their introduction is clear: the measure is intended to prevent and make more transparent discriminatory behavior such as racist abuse.
In doing so, FIFA was responding in no small part to the Gianluca Prestianni case. During the Champions League match between Benfica and Real Madrid earlier this year, the Argentine is alleged to have racially abused Vinicius Junior while covering his mouth with his hand. A number of Real stars said so afterward.
At the time, however, referee Clément Turpin lacked the necessary means to send Prestianni off. Now officials can take action in scenes like this — as happened between Paraguay and Türkiye.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.