Almiron first player sent off for covering mouth
Story by
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 official standing next to him.
AdvertisementAdvertisementFollowing 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."
Without Almiron for more than half of the match, Paraguay held on to beat Turkey 1-0.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThey will qualify for the last 32 if they beat Australia in their final group game on Friday (03:00 BST).
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.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe 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.
Almiron had fallen foul of another new law during Paraguay's opening World Cup group match against the United States.
The referee on that occasion had initially booked US defender Tim Ream for fouling Almiron, but after a VAR review it was deemed that the Paraguayan had dived and he was shown a yellow card instead.
AdvertisementAdvertisementBadenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
