A Paraguayan commentator has had his World Cup accreditation revoked after unleashing a remarkable live rant aimed at FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the referee and CONMEBOL president Alejandro DomÃnguez during a broadcast.
Jorge ‘Chipi’ Vera was on commentary for Paraguayan outlet ABC Cardinal during Paraguay’s 1-0 win over Turkey when he exploded on air following Miguel Almiron’s dismissal. The Newcastle United forward became the first player at the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be sent off under FIFA’s new rule penalising players for covering their mouths while speaking to opponents, a measure brought in before the tournament as part of efforts to address discriminatory and abusive language.
The decision triggered an immediate outburst from Vera.
“Thief, thief, Barton,” he shouted, directing his opening salvo at Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton. “They killed football. FIFA, you killed football. Infantino, you’re responsible for this. FIFA, take responsibility for turning football into this. A disgrace. You should be ashamed, Infantino.”
He then directed his anger toward CONMEBOL chief Alejandro Dominguez.
“Alejandro Dominguez, less photos with Infantino. Grow a pair. You f***ing thieves. Is this what we have to come and see at a World Cup? What sons of b*tches! This is inexplicable, this is a disgrace. They’re killing football and leaving us with one less player.”
FIFA responded swiftly by withdrawing Vera’s accreditation after the comments, ending his role at the tournament and preventing him from working from any World Cup venue for the rest of the competition. The sanction also applies across all outlets run by his employer, ABC Cardinal.
Afterward, Vera released a public apology in which he accepted that his remarks were “offensive and unacceptable” and conceded that he had crossed the line, regardless of what had sparked the reaction.
“Questioning a rule or disagreeing with a referee’s decision never justifies losing control the way I did,” he said. “What I said was wrong, and I have to own up to it.”
Even so, the matter has not ended there. ABC Cardinal has appealed FIFA’s punishment, arguing that excluding him for the remainder of the tournament is excessive for a first offence, especially one followed by an immediate public apology.
“We believe that the permanent cancellation of a credential for the entire duration of the tournament constitutes an extreme and manifestly disproportionate sanction,” the broadcaster said in a formal statement.
The episode has also fuelled fresh discussion about FIFA’s controversial mouth-covering rule, with critics questioning whether it is being enforced consistently. Some have pointed out that Almiron was speaking to a Turkish opponent despite the pair not sharing a common language.
Paraguay now head into the rest of the group stage with a crucial win already on the board after opening their campaign with a 4-1 loss to the United States.
FIFA have been approached for comment.