Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron became the first player to be shown a red card for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent during his side’s World Cup group match against Turkey in San Francisco.
Almiron, 32, obscured his mouth with his hand while speaking to Turkey’s Mert Muldur, who immediately informed an officials standing next to him.
Following a check by the video assistant referee (VAR), referee Ivan Barton from El Salvador announced to the crowd that he was sending off the former Newcastle United winger.
The incident occurred just before half-time with Paraguay leading 1-0.
Commentating for BBC Radio 5 Live, former Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison said: “If you know the rules, you shouldn’t do it. You’ve got to credit the referee and the VAR for making that decision.
“Not everyone would agree with it, but if those are the rules, you’ve got to stick by the rules.”
The new rule is being implemented for the first time at the World Cup.
The decision to introduce it was taken during a special meeting of the International Football Association Board (Ifab) in Vancouver in April.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino had previously said he would welcome such a punishment being introduced and that referees should work from a “presumption” that players have said “something they shouldn’t have”.
The decision remains at the absolute discretion of the referee, who will consider all circumstances before issuing a red card.
The issue of players covering their mouths became high profile in February when Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni raised his shirt while speaking to Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr during a Champions League game.
The Argentina international was accused of racist abuse – which he denied – and provisionally banned for one match. Following a Uefa investigation, Prestianni was instead found guilty of homophobic conduct and banned for six matches – three of which were suspended.
