Miguel Almiron has become the first player to be sent off at the World Cup for covering his mouth, ruling the Paraguay midfielder out of next week's clash with the Socceroos.
The star playmaker, who plays for Major League Soccer club Atlanta United, was sent off during a confrontation late in the first half against Turkey on Friday night.
The infraction came during first-half stoppage time in the Group D match when Almiron and Mert Mulder exchanged words following a foul in the middle of the field.
Almiron covered his mouth while saying something to Mulder, who immediately appealed to referee Ivan Barton for punishment.
Barton went to video review and quickly ruled Almiron would be given a red card and ejected under a new rule put in place for this year's World Cup.
