Bellingham Avoids Red Card in 0-0 Draw as FIFA Limits Mouth-Covering Ban to Confrontations
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 24
Bellingham Avoids Red Card in 0-0 Draw as FIFA Limits Mouth-Covering Ban to Confrontations
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 24
Summary
Jude Bellingham was not sent off after covering his mouth while speaking to Ghana's Jordan Ayew in Tuesday's 0-0 draw in Boston because officials judged the exchange non-confrontational.
FIFA's 2026 World Cup rule does not ban mouth-covering outright; Pierluigi Collina said players may still do it in friendly chats, with red cards reserved for confrontational exchanges.
Miguel Almiron became the first player punished under the rule at the weekend, receiving a red card and one-match ban after a VAR review during a heated Paraguay-Turkey melee.
Gianni Infantino defended the law as a respect measure after UEFA banned Gianluca Prestianni for 6 matches in February, but questions remain over consistency and whether players could exploit it to get opponents dismissed.
The opt-in rule is currently being used only at the World Cup, and concerns over enforcement may limit adoption in domestic leagues.