Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron becomes 1st player red-carded at World Cup for covering his mouth

SANTA CLARA (US): (Jun 20) (AP) Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron became the first player issued with a red card at the World Cup for covering his mouth, getting sent off during a confrontation late in the first half against Turkey.

The infraction came during first-half stoppage time in the Group D match on Friday night when Almiron and Mert Mulder exchanged words following a foul near midfield. Almiron covered his mouth while saying something to Mulder, who immediately appealed to referee Ivan Barton for punishment.

Barton went to video review and quickly ruled that Almiron would be given a red card and ejected under a new rule put in place for this year’s World Cup.