Neymar's new headache: covering the mouth is a red card

For the first time in world football, the new rule applied at the 2026 World Cup Turkey-Paraguay match has now affected Brazilian superstar Neymar. The regulation introduced by FIFA and the IFAB calls for players who cover their mouth with a hand during an on-field argument to be punished with a direct red card.

In the 32nd round of the Brazilian Serie A, Santos drew 1-1 at home with Bahia. In the 45th minute, a heated verbal argument broke out between Neymar and an opposing player. After the Brazilian star covered his mouth with his hand while speaking to his opponent, the VAR room got involved. The referee reviewed the incident on the monitor and showed Neymar a red card.

The purpose of the rule is to prevent insults, swearing or discriminatory remarks from being hidden from the cameras and to ensure transparency on the pitch. In cases the referees miss, VAR technology identifies such actions and leads to a dismissal decision.

The rule was first applied in international competition on 20 June 2026, in the Turkey-Paraguay match. Paraguayan Miguel Almiron received a red card after covering his mouth during an argument with Mert Müldür, making him the first example of the rule. Neymar became the second world star to be punished for the same offence.

This season, Neymar has played 27 official matches for Santos, scoring 10 goals and providing 8 assists. The star, whose team was left with ten men after the disputed red card, continues to draw attention with his performances.