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Calls for Jude Bellingham to be suspended following England’s goalless World Cup draw with Ghana have intensified.
But reports indicate that any disciplinary action against the midfielder remains highly unlikely under FIFA’s current interpretation of its controversial new mouth-covering rule.
The Real Madrid star became the centre of debate after television cameras captured him covering his mouth while speaking to Ghana captain, Jordan Ayew, during Tuesday’s Group L encounter in Boston.
Images of the exchange quickly spread across social media, prompting accusations that FIFA was applying its newly introduced regulations inconsistently.
The controversy stems from a rule introduced for the 2026 FIFA World Cup allowing referees to sanction players who deliberately conceal their mouths during confrontational exchanges with opponents.
The measure was introduced as part of FIFA’s broader effort to combat abusive, discriminatory and offensive language on the pitch.
Critics pointed to an earlier tournament incident involving Paraguay midfielder, Miguel Almirón, who became the first player to receive a red card under the regulation after covering his mouth during a heated confrontation against Turkey.
Almirón was subsequently handed a one match suspension, leading some observers to question why Bellingham escaped punishment.
The dispute escalated further when reports emerged that Paraguay’s football authorities had lodged a formal protest with FIFA, arguing that Bellingham should face the same consequences as Almirón.
According to those reports, Paraguay alleged that the England international’s actions warranted retrospective disciplinary action under the tournament’s so called “mouth-covering” law.
However, FIFA’s position appears clear. Referees’ chief, Pierluigi Collina, had previously explained that covering one’s mouth is not automatically an offence.
Instead, officials are instructed to assess the context of the interaction and whether it occurred during a hostile or confrontational exchange. Friendly conversations or routine discussions between players are not considered punishable.
Match officials overseeing England’s draw with Ghana evidently concluded that Bellingham’s exchange with Ayew did not breach the threshold required for disciplinary action.
Reports indicate the conversation was viewed as non-confrontational, with no evidence of abusive or discriminatory language. Neither the referee nor VAR intervened during the match.
The incident nevertheless added another layer of controversy to a tense encounter that ended 0-0.
England dominated possession and created the better chances but were frustrated by a disciplined Ghana side, leaving qualification from Group L delicately poised heading into the final round of fixtures.
Bellingham had already attracted attention during the match following a heated exchange with members of the Ghana coaching staff near half time.
Television footage appeared to show the midfielder involved in a verbal confrontation before being ushered away as tempers flared around the tunnel area.
Despite the growing calls for sanctions, football analysts and FIFA officials have stressed that the current regulations are aimed at preventing hidden abuse rather than banning players from shielding conversations altogether.
Unless new evidence emerges, there is no indication that FIFA intends to open disciplinary proceedings against Bellingham.
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