Mouth-Covering Rule Controversy: Why Bellingham Escaped a Red Card vs Ghana

England midfielder Jude Bellingham escaped punishment for covering his mouth during a heated exchange with Ghana forward Jordan Ayew. The incident followed a challenge on defender Jerome Opoku in their scoreless World Cup draw in Boston. Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón was sent off days earlier for a similar mouth-covering act against Turkey after VAR intervened. That dismissal under the new rule has left fans questioning why Bellingham faced no on-field punishment or video review. Some foreign outlets and Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz have accused officials of inconsistency, arguing the same law should have applied. Queiroz also claimed Bellingham used profanity while heading off for half-time. With the new mouth-covering rule aimed at preventing hidden abusive remarks, the debate now centres on when referees should enforce it. FIFA and match officials face pressure to clarify the grey areas and ensure consistent application.

Use The App To Win ₦1m

Stories are shared by community members. This article does not represent the official view of NaijaWorld — the author is solely responsible for its content.