Paraguay attacker Miguel Almiron was sent off in Friday’s game against Turkey for covering his mouth in a confrontation with a rival player.
The new rule was introduced in April ahead of the tournament to combat racist abuse after Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior alleged he was racially abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni when he covered his mouth while talking to the Brazil star in a Champions League game.
Almiron has now bcome the first player to get a red card as a result of the new rule, although there is no immediate suggestion that he said anything racist towards an opponent.
Players on both teams had clashed after one of Almiron’s teammates went down hurt. Almiron then appeared to hold his hand briefly over his face as he walked past Turkey’s Mert Muldur, who immediately tried to get the attention of the referee.
The referee Ivan Barton for the game went over to his video monitor and with the help of VAR, showed Almiron a straight red.
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