Jude Bellingham has found himself at the center of a major controversy following England’s 0-0 draw with Ghana. The Real Madrid midfielder was caught on camera covering his mouth with his hand during a heated exchange with Ghana forward Jordan Ayew.
Is FIFA giving special treatment to star players? For years, football fans have debated whether certain superstars receive more favorable decisions. A new incident has reignited that discussion, with Bellingham escaping punishment despite appearing to violate one of FIFA’s newly introduced World Cup regulations.
FIFA Rule Sparks Debate
The gesture is specifically targeted by a rule introduced for the 2026 World Cup. Under the regulation, a player can be sent off if they cover their mouth while addressing an opponent in a manner considered provocative, insulting, or mocking.
The controversy has grown because a similar incident already resulted in a dismissal earlier in the tournament. Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón was shown a red card against Turkey after being judged to have committed the same offense. According to IFAB Law 12, players, substitutes, or substituted players must be sent off if they “cover their mouth (with the hand, arm, or shirt) when speaking to an opponent in a provocative, mocking, or offensive manner, or in a situation involving provocation, offense, or mockery.”
Same World Cup, one was sent off. The other didn’t even get a warning.
New rule says: “Any player who covers their mouth with a hand, arm or shirt during a confrontation with an opponent can now be punished with a red card.” pic.twitter.com/RGmRyMTtux
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) June 24, 2026
Already under scrutiny for several contentious decisions during the match, the referee chose not to sanction Bellingham. The decision has fueled accusations of preferential treatment and intensified debate over the consistency of officiating at the 2026 World Cup.
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