Jude Bellingham Avoids Red Card for Covering His Mouth in Heated England vs Ghana Clash
A key difference in circumstances led to Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham avoiding a red card at the World Cup, unlike Paraguay's Miguel Almiron. FIFA introduced a new rule allowing referees to send players off for covering their mouths while speaking to opponents, following a homophobic conduct incident involving Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni and Vinicius Jr.
Almiron became the first player to be sent off under the new rule after covering his mouth during a heated conversation with Turkey's Mert Muldur. In contrast, Bellingham was seen covering his mouth while talking to Ghana's Jordan Ayew, but the context was different. The two players were having a conversation, not a confrontation.
According to Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's head of referees, players can cover their mouths during friendly conversations without penalty. However, if the conversation is confrontational, covering the mouth can lead to a red card. Bellingham will not face retrospective punishment and will be available to play for England against Panama on Saturday.
Meanwhile, England's Declan Rice is at risk of suspension after receiving a yellow card against Ghana. If he is booked again in the group stage, he will serve an automatic one-match suspension and miss England's last-32 tie. Rice is also a fitness doubt due to a calf injury.
Almiron became the first player to be sent off under the new rule after covering his mouth during a heated conversation with Turkey's Mert Muldur. In contrast, Bellingham was seen covering his mouth while talking to Ghana's Jordan Ayew, but the context was different. The two players were having a conversation, not a confrontation.
According to Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's head of referees, players can cover their mouths during friendly conversations without penalty. However, if the conversation is confrontational, covering the mouth can lead to a red card. Bellingham will not face retrospective punishment and will be available to play for England against Panama on Saturday.
Meanwhile, England's Declan Rice is at risk of suspension after receiving a yellow card against Ghana. If he is booked again in the group stage, he will serve an automatic one-match suspension and miss England's last-32 tie. Rice is also a fitness doubt due to a calf injury.
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