A Paraguayan football commentator has been stripped of his World Cup accreditation by FIFA after launching an expletive-filled on-air tirade against match officials and the governing body during Paraguay’s 1-0 victory over Turkey, according to local reports.
Jorge Chipi Vera lost his composure live on television after Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron was shown the tournament’s first red card for violating a new regulation prohibiting players from covering their mouths during on-field confrontations. Almiron was sent off in first-half stoppage time for remarks directed at Turkey’s Mert Muldur while obscuring his mouth with his hand.
Vera described FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the match referee as “thieves” and accused officials of “killing football” as Paraguay were reduced to 10 men. He later apologized on social media platform X, confirming his accreditation had been revoked and acknowledging that his remarks were made in frustration during an emotionally charged moment.
“During the broadcast of the match between Paraguay and Turkey, I had an outburst,” Vera said in his apology. “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.”
Vera said the sanction bars him from participating in World Cup coverage “either inside the stadiums or outside them,” extending to “any type of participation or coverage related to the World Cup.” FIFA declined to comment, but a source familiar with the matter said the organization deemed his language unacceptable and inconsistent with professional standards expected of accredited broadcast personnel.
The commentator, who works for ABC Cardinal and ABC TV, also apologized to sponsors supporting the coverage and said he had submitted a formal letter to FIFA taking full responsibility for his actions.
“Questioning a rule or disagreeing with a refereeing decision never justifies losing control the way I did,” Vera said. “I failed you in something fundamental: maintaining the composure and respect that this profession requires.”
