Why Jude Bellingham was not sent off for covering his mouth during England vs Ghana clash | OneFootball

Real Madrid star avoided World Cup red card because of key difference to incident involving Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron

One of several new rules FIFA introduced ahead of this summer’s World Cup was to give referees the power to send players off for covering their mouths while speaking to an opponent.

The rule was introduced after Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni was given a six-match ban by UEFA for homophobic conduct towards Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr during a Champions League game in February.

Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron became the first player to be sent off as a result of the law change, following an intervention from the video assistant referee (VAR) during his side’s 1-0 victory over Turkey in Group D last week.

England’s Jude Bellingham, though, escaped punishment for what appeared to be the same offence when pictured in conversation with Ghana’s Jordan Ayew in Tuesday’s Group L goalless draw in Boston.

While the law change may suggest that any attempt by a player to cover their mouth when talking to an opponent has been outlawed, that is not actually the case.

Context is important, as it is only an offence to cover your mouth when in confrontation with an opposition player.

Centre of attention: Jude Bellingham has had an eventful World Cup for England so far

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Bellingham and Ayew were merely in conversation. Almiron, on the other hand, covered his mouth when speaking to Turkey’s Mert Muldur following a heated melee between the two teams.

The distinction between the two incidents was made clear before the tournament by Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's head of referees.

"Players can continue to cover their mouth with an arm and the shirt because they may chat with friends," Collina said.

"It's normal to have a chat before, during or after the match.

"So if the conversation is a friendly conversation, they can continue to do it without any problem.

"When the conversation is confrontational, covering the mouth means that you are doing something very wrong, potentially, and the sanction is the red card."

Bellingham will not be retrospectively punished for covering his mouth, and the Real Madrid midfielder will be free to play for England as they look to seal top spot in Group L against Panama in New Jersey on Saturday.

Declan Rice, is, however, at risk of suspension after picking up a yellow card against Ghana.

Should Rice be booked for the second time in the group stage against Panama, then he would serve an automatic one-match suspension and miss England’s last-32 tie.

He may prove to be a fitness doubt anyway, having been spotted limping after the Ghana game with heavy strapping around his left calf.