Paraguayan soccer broadcaster Jorge Chipi Vera has lost his World Cup credential after an on-air outburst in which he targeted a match referee and FIFA itself.
Vera, who works for ABC Cardinal and ABC TV, was calling the match between Paraguay and Turkiye on Friday, June 19, when a red card issued to Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón sparked his ire.
“Thief, thief, Barton,” he said of referee Ivan Barton. “They killed football. FIFA, you killed football. [FIFA President Gianni] Infantino, you’re responsible for this. FIFA, take responsibility for turning football into this. A disgrace. You should be ashamed, Infantino.”
Almirón, 32, earned the red card for covering his mouth with his hand while he appeared to say something to Turkiye’s Mert Müldür. The red card was the result of a new rule that bans players from covering their faces while they speak in order to prevent them from hiding potentially racist or homophobic comments. Paraguay went on to win the match, 1-0.
Vera also blasted Alejandro Dominguez, president of South America’s soccer governing body, CONMEBOL.
“Alejandro Dominguez, less photos with Infantino,” he ranted. “Grow a pair. You f***ing thieves. Is this what we have to come and see at a World Cup? What sons of bitches! This is inexplicable, this is a disgrace. They’re killing football and leaving us with one less player.”
Vera apologized on Monday, June 22, with a video he shared via social media.
“During the broadcast of the match between Paraguay and Turkey, I had an outburst,” he 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 added, “Questioning a rule or disagreeing with a refereeing decision never justifies losing control the way I did. I failed you in something fundamental: maintaining the composure and respect that this profession requires.”
Vera’s ban means he cannot cover Paraguay’s matches should it advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup or cover the team in any capacity, inside or outside of World Cup stadiums. He said he has sent a formal apology letter to FIFA, which has not commented publicly on the ban.
ABC Cardinal has filed an appeal regarding FIFA’s decision, arguing it is overly harsh for a first-time transgression.
“We believe that the permanent cancellation of a credential for the entire duration of the tournament constitutes an extreme and manifestly disproportionate sanction,” the network said in a statement.
