FIFA has clarified its regulations regarding players covering their mouths while speaking on the pitch following discussions sparked by an exchange between England midfielder Jude Bellingham and Ghana captain Jordan Ayew during their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group L encounter.
The incident attracted attention after Bellingham was not sanctioned despite covering his mouth while speaking to Ayew during the match, prompting comparisons with an earlier World Cup incident involving Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón and Turkey’s Mert Müldür.
In that case, Almirón was sent off after covering his mouth during a conversation with Müldür, who subsequently reported the matter to the referee.
FIFA has now explained that disciplinary action is determined by the nature and context of the interaction rather than the act of covering one’s mouth itself.
According to the Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina, players may cover their mouths during normal conversations without facing sanctions.
However, where the exchange is deemed confrontational, match officials may consider the action an aggravating factor that could warrant a red card.
“If the conversation is a friendly conversation, players can continue to do it without any problem.
However, when the conversation is confrontational, covering the mouth means that a player is doing something very wrong, potentially, and the sanction is the red card,” Collina was quoted as saying.
FIFA stressed that competition organisers and match officials retain discretion in assessing each situation based on its specific circumstances.
The exchange between Bellingham and Ayew occurred during England’s World Cup clash against Ghana in Boston on June 23, 2026. Match officials reportedly determined that the interaction was not confrontational and therefore took no disciplinary action against the England midfielder.
The match ended in a draw, with Ghana producing a disciplined defensive performance and denying England despite numerous attacking opportunities.
The result strengthened the Black Stars’ position in the race for qualification from Group L
