A new World Cup rule allows referees to send off players who speak to opponents while covering their mouths.
The regulation was introduced after a European ban was issued for a player who directed a slur at an opponent while masking his mouth during a February Champions League match.
During the group stage, a Paraguay midfielder became the first player at the tournament to be sent off under the rule following a heated exchange with a Turkish opponent.
The restriction applies only to confrontational communication between players, not to discussions with match officials.
In a recent match, England captain Harry Kane briefly covered his mouth while speaking with the referee. Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes quickly approached the official to argue that Kane should be dismissed.
Broadcast commentators clarified that Kane was addressing the referee, not an opponent, and therefore the offence did not apply. One former England goalkeeper called the protest pathetic, noting the difficulty of on-field communication with officials.
Another former England player described the attempt to invoke the rule as ridiculous, emphasizing that the conversation was a private exchange with the referee rather than provocation toward an opposing player.
