Keith Hackett critical of 'severe' World Cup rule that Miguel Almiron 'wasn't aware of'

Miguel Almiron may not have been aware of the new World Cup rule that saw him sent off in Paraguay's narrow win over Turkey.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the new punishment to the tournament is far too "severe" this summer.

Almiron, formerly of Newcastle United, became the first player in World Cup history to be sent off for covering their mouth in a confrontational manner on Saturday, 20 June.

Following a VAR review, referee Ivan Arcides Barton Cisneros announced the decision to show a red card, leaving many inside the stadium in disbelief.

Paraguay would eventually go on to secure a 1-0 win, knocking Turkey out of the tournament, but they were forced to do it with 10 men for the entire second half.

Since, a mass debate has taken place over the new addition to the rulebook, and one former FIFA official has raised concerns this summer.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett revealed his distaste for the new rule, suggesting that a red card is far too harsh, though he understands why it has been added.

"I think it's severe. Football players are creatures of habit and and they need time to be able to understand them and get used to playing under them.

"I suspect this hand over the mouth rule, while you and I were aware of it because of our media connections and reading and all research that we do, a lot of the general public were not aware.

"And I suspect, following through, there's a percentage of players, like Almiron, who were not aware of this law change.

Almiron becomes the first player to get a straight red card for covering their mouth at the World Cup pic.twitter.com/ru2GNZifkx

"They've got into the habit, haven't they? Not every comment behind the hand of a player is going to break the rule of a racist remark."

The red card for Almiron has also sparked huge questions over multiple stars, such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, at this summer's tournament.

Both superstars have been pictured also covering their mouths, with football fans suggesting that they have been shown special treatment because of who they are.

This is far from the truth, however. FIFA's rule clearly states that a red card is only shown if a mouth is covered in a confrontational manner.

On both occasions, with Messi and Ronaldo, the players were speaking to their own teammates after a goal was scored, therefore meaning that they had not broken the rules.