Why Bellingham was not sent off for covering his mouth
Summary
A new football rule allows players to be sent off if they cover their mouth while having a heated argument with an opponent. Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron was the first player sent off under this rule during the 2022 World Cup, while England’s Jude Bellingham was not because his conversation was friendly.Key Facts
- Covering the mouth while speaking to an opponent during a confrontation can now lead to a red card.
- The rule was introduced for the 2026 World Cup, after a homophobic incident involving Gianluca Prestianni.
- Miguel Almiron received a red card and a one-game ban for covering his mouth during a heated clash against Turkey.
- Players can still cover their mouths when chatting in a friendly way without penalty.
- FIFA’s head of referees, Pierluigi Collina, explained that only confrontational situations trigger the rule.
- The new rule aims to promote respect and prevent hidden abusive language on the field.
- The rule is optional and currently only used at the World Cup, with domestic leagues unlikely to adopt it due to difficulties in consistent enforcement.
- Almiron will miss Paraguay’s next game against Australia due to his suspension.
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