Sportal.eu

2026 World Cup: Bellingham Covers His Mouth but Avoids a Red Card—Controversy Ensues

Getty Images

A real case in point. The image of Bellingham covering his mouth during the match against Ghana went viral. The incident sparked outrage, as the English player did not receive a red card, unlike Almirón of the Paraguayan national team, who was sent off a few days earlier for a very similar incident. This time, however, the protocol imposed by FIFA, known as the “Vinicius Rule,” was not applied.

The issue has raised concerns and is already under investigation by world soccer’s governing body. In short, a real-life case.

The Paraguayan soccer federation has filed an official complaint with FIFA regarding the alleged inconsistent application of the new rule requiring players to cover their mouths during the 2026 World Cup. The letter cited several incidents that occurred during the England-Ghana match, not just the one involving Bellingham, who found himself in the spotlight against his will.

Tags:

You may also like...