Miguel Almirón, the Paraguayan player, covered his mouth while speaking during a stoppage, making him the first player in football history to be sent off under this rule.
On 20 June 2026, Miguel Almirón, Paraguay’s national team player, covered his mouth while speaking during a stoppage, becoming the first footballer in history to be sent off under the new "Prestianni's Law" (Prestianni’s Law). This new football regulation states that if a player covers their mouth while speaking face-to-face with an opponent on the field, they will receive an immediate direct red card.
This rule originated from an incident in the UEFA Champions League in February 2026 between Real Madrid, known as the "Los Blancos," and Benfica. Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica was accused of making sexist discriminatory remarks toward Vinícius Júnior while covering his mouth with his shirt to avoid camera detection and lip-reading. This incident caused widespread criticism in the football world and led UEFA to suspend Gianluca Prestianni for six matches.
Following that incident, FIFA and the International Football Association Board held meetings and officially approved the new rule in late April 2026. It allows referees to issue direct red cards to players who intentionally cover their mouths during verbal confrontations or altercations with opponents, based on the principle that such behavior may be an attempt to conceal racist or discriminatory language. FIFA President Gianni Infantino had previously expressed support for this idea.
After FIFA officially implemented the rule to address issues of abusive language and inappropriate behavior during matches, Miguel Almirón was sent off with a direct red card in Paraguay’s 1-0 victory over Turkey during the 2026 World Cup group stage match in Group D.
This incident occurred during first-half stoppage time when Miguel Almirón clashed with Turkey’s Mert Müldür. Cameras captured Almirón covering his mouth while speaking to his opponent, prompting referee Ivan Barton to review the VAR and then immediately show Almirón a red card at the 45+3 minute mark, leaving Paraguay with one less player for half the match.
Following Miguel Almirón’s sending off under this rule, the case immediately sparked online debate. Although the rule aims to combat racial discrimination, many players commonly cover their mouths when speaking to teammates as a normal practice to prevent opponents from lip-reading tactics or to communicate more clearly amid the loud stadium atmosphere. This raised questions about whether the rule will be applied fairly without unfairly penalizing players who have no ill intent.
