FIFA strip Paraguayan commentator's credentials after live tirade over Almiron red card

FIFA have revoked the World Cup credentials of Paraguayan commentator Jorge Vera after he launched a furious live on-air attack on referee Ivan Barton and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, following Miguel Almiron’s red card in Paraguay’s 1-0 victory over Turkey in their Group Stage fixture.

Almiron made unwanted history by becoming the first player ever sent off under the rule prohibiting players from covering their mouths during confrontations — a regulation introduced to prevent the concealment of racist, discriminatory, or abusive language. The dismissal proved the flashpoint for Vera’s extraordinary meltdown.

“Thief, thief, Barton. They killed football. FIFA, you killed football,” Vera raged on air, before turning directly on Infantino. “Infantino, you’re responsible for this. FIFA, take responsibility for turning football into this. A disgrace. You should be ashamed, Infantino.”

Vera then widened his attack to include CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez. “Alejandro Domínguez, less photos with Infantino. Grow a pair. You f------ thieves!” He also challenged the logic of the rule itself, asking: “What kind of racism could Miguel Almiron possibly use against the Turkish player? Show me some common sense.”

FIFA responded by stripping Vera of his accreditation for the remainder of the tournament — a significant sanction that bars him from covering Paraguay’s remaining matches, including any potential knockout-stage games.

Vera’s employer, Paraguayan broadcaster ABC Cardinal, has since released an eight-point statement urging FIFA to reconsider. The broadcaster argues the punishment is disproportionate given that the incident was isolated and followed by an immediate apology.

“We believe that the permanent cancellation of a credential for the entire duration of the tournament constitutes an extreme and manifestly disproportionate sanction for a primary infraction that was immediately acknowledged, for which formal apologies and concrete mechanisms for redress were offered,” the statement read. “The apologies were presented, the error was admitted, and corrective measures were immediately implemented.”

Almiron, meanwhile, broke his silence after the win, paying tribute to his teammates and the Paraguayan federation rather than dwelling on his dismissal. Paraguay’s victory keeps their knockout-stage hopes alive despite finishing the match with ten men.