Paraguay have rallied around suspended star Miguel Almiron as they count the cost of his brain snap ahead of a crunch World Cup clash with Australia.
But Almiron isn't getting any sympathy from Socceroo Jackson Irvine, who says players knew the consequences of covering their mouths during on-field confrontations.
Almiron will be suspended for Thursday night's (Friday AEST) game in Santa Clara after becoming the first player sent off at a World Cup for the offence.
In a first-half scuffle, Almiron put his right hand over his mouth while appearing to say something to Turkey's Mert Muldur, who immediately alerted the referee.
After a VAR review, Atlanta midfielder Almiron was sent off and his World Cup could be over depending on how dimly FIFA looks upon the incident.
"It's clear, like we were all told before," Irvine said on Saturday.
"It's going to be controversial in some ways, because we don't know the nature of what it was (that Almiron said).
"But when you look at what's happened in the past, especially around what happened in the incident with Vinicius Jr, I think it takes everything out of the equation.
"If you're saying something to someone that you don't want to be seen, then I think it's safe to say that if you can't be seen saying it, then it shouldn't be said," Irvine added.
"So, listen, for me it's a clear line on the rule, and we were all told about it. So it is what it is."
While Paraguay held on with 10 men for an almighty 1-0 victory that eliminated Turkey, Almiron's suspension is a hefty blow.
If Paraguay beat Australia they will finish second in Group D.
A draw could mean progression as a best third-placed finisher, though a loss may not be enough.
Almiron posted on his Instagram story of his team celebrating their 1-0 win and thanking them for their efforts, but didn't reference his dismissal.
Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro said Almiron had apologised to his teammates.
"He was in a lot of pain because he felt that, for a player of his experience, those things can't happen," Alfaro said.
"But it happened. That's it. We're here to support him, to carry him, to push him."
The FIFA-proposed law regarding players covering their mouths was approved by the International Football Association Board in April.
It came after Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr accused Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni of making racist slurs towards him, while covering his mouth with his shirt, during a Champions League game.
Prestianni, who denied the accusation, was later banned for six matches - with three suspended - by UEFA for homophobic conduct.
There are exceptions to the rule such as allowing players to cover their mouths during friendly conversations with club teammates on opposing teams.
With Reuters
