A Paraguayan radio announcer lost his FIFA press credential after going on a live on-air tirade during Paraguay's World Cup match against Türkiye on Friday, according to Yahoo Sports. The announcer, Jorge "Chipi" Vera, was broadcasting for Paraguayan network ABC when Paraguay's Miguel Almirón was issued a red card in the first half.
The red card came after Almirón appeared to say something to Türkiye's Mert Müldür while covering his mouth with his hand. Under a new FIFA rule aimed at preventing racial abuse, covering one's mouth during a match can result in an ejection. It was the first red card of its kind issued at the tournament. The call was seen by many as excessive, given the stakes of the match.
Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton issued the card. That was enough to set Vera off.
"Thief, thief, Barton," Vera said during the broadcast. "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."
Vera did not stop there. He then directed his anger at CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez.
"Alejandro Dominguez, less photos with Infantino. Grow a pair. You f*cking 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 was monitoring the broadcast. The governing body revoked Vera's credential after the match, barring him from calling any further 2026 World Cup matches.
Paraguay won the game 1-0 despite playing the second half a man down.
Vera issued a public apology on Monday. He acknowledged that his language had crossed a line and said he had lost control in the moment.
"During the broadcast of the match between Paraguay and Turkey, I had an outburst," Vera said. "In the midst of my frustration over the expulsion of a player from my country, and feeling that my national team was being harmed, I used offensive and unacceptable expressions against the referee, FIFA, and its authorities."
He described his words as "offensive and unacceptable," though the apology did not reverse FIFA's decision.
ABC Cardinal, the network Vera was working for, filed an appeal against the credential revocation. The broadcaster argued the punishment was disproportionate for a first-time offense, especially given that Vera had since apologized publicly.
"We believe that the permanent cancellation of a credential for the entire duration of the tournament constitutes an extreme and manifestly disproportionate sanction," ABC Cardinal said in a statement.
As for Almirón, FIFA handed him a one-match suspension for the incident. Paraguay must face Australia on Thursday without him.
