Jude Bellingham triggers confusion over FIFA’s new rule during England’s World Cup draw/ Image: X

England midfielder Jude Bellingham became the centre of a fresh World Cup controversy during Tuesday’s goalless draw with Ghana after television cameras captured him covering his mouth while speaking to Ghana captain Jordan Ayew. With FIFA’s new mouth-covering rule already producing the tournament’s first red card, many viewers questioned why the England star escaped punishment.The incident occurred during England’s frustrating 0-0 draw against Ghana in Boston, a result that left Group L finely balanced heading into the final round of fixtures.Bellingham’s interaction with Ayew quickly attracted attention because FIFA introduced a new regulation ahead of the 2026 World Cup allowing players to be sent off if they cover their mouths while confronting opponents.However, the key word in the law is confrontation.

What does FIFA’s new mouth-covering rule actually say?

The rule was introduced after FIFA president Gianni Infantino pushed for stricter measures following an incident involving Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni, who received a six-match UEFA ban for homophobic conduct towards Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior during a Champions League match earlier this year.Ahead of the World Cup, FIFA’s head of referees, Pierluigi Collina, made it clear that covering the mouth itself was not prohibited.“Players can continue to cover their mouth with an arm and the shirt because they may chat with friends,” Collina explained before the tournament.“It’s normal to chat before, during or after the match.“So if the conversation is a friendly conversation, they can continue to do it without any problem.“When the conversation is confrontational, covering the mouth means that you are doing something very wrong, potentially, and the sanction is the red card.”That distinction ultimately proved crucial in Bellingham’s case.

Why Bellingham was not punished

Although images of the England midfielder speaking to Ayew circulated widely, there was no indication that the exchange was hostile or confrontational.Sources told ESPN that Bellingham’s discussion with the Ghana captain was not deemed aggressive, meaning the incident did not meet the threshold required for disciplinary action under FIFA’s new regulation.Players, coaches and even referees have regularly been seen covering their mouths during conversations throughout the tournament. FIFA’s concern is specifically focused on situations involving arguments, confrontations or potentially abusive language.As a result, neither referee Hector Said Martinez Sorto nor the video assistant referee considered the incident worthy of review.

How Miguel Almirón’s red card was different

The comparison most frequently made involved Paraguay forward Miguel Almirón, who became the first player in World Cup history to be sent off under the new rule.Almirón was dismissed during Paraguay’s Group D clash against Türkiye following a heated confrontation involving Turkish defender Mert Müldür.The incident occurred after Paraguay’s Isidro Pitta went down following a challenge from Ismail Yüksek, triggering a melee between both sets of players. During the confrontation, Almirón covered his mouth while speaking to Müldür.Following a VAR review, officials deemed the situation confrontational and issued a red card.Speaking after that incident, Infantino reinforced FIFA’s position.“This thing about covering the mouth is for us a very, very important rule,” he said.“It’s about respect. It’s about the example that we should give.“If you have nothing to hide, you don’t cover your mouth when you speak to somebody.“The rules have been made very clear to everyone.”

Bellingham also addresses clash with Ghana bench

While the conversation with Ayew was deemed harmless, Bellingham was involved in a separate flashpoint during the match that began at half-time and carried into the second half.The Real Madrid midfielder became embroiled in a heated, foul-mouthed exchange with members of Ghana’s coaching staff, including manager Carlos Queiroz and assistant John Paintsil, after a strong challenge on Ghana defender Jerome Opoku. The confrontation initially erupted at half-time following the reckless tackle, with tensions spilling over as both benches reacted angrily before continuing during the match.Speaking afterwards, Bellingham admitted he had mistimed the tackle but insisted the disagreement stemmed from the competitive nature of the match.“I made a silly tackle to be honest. I was trying to win the ball and I followed through a little bit and caught the lad, I spoke to him after and then their bench jumped up trying to get me a yellow card,” Bellingham said.“So yeah I think their manager, I just recognized him, was obviously the one who used to be at Manchester United [Carlos Queiroz], so great respect and nothing but a competitive edge for both of us.”

Terence Crawford hung up the gloves last year knowing his place amongst the welterweight and pound-for-pound legends was cemented, but there is one former 147lb ruler who Shane Mosley believes would have got the better of ‘Bud’ if they had competed in the same era.

Crawford outpointed Ricky Burns to claim the WBO lightweight world title back in 2014 and defended that belt on two occasions before moving up to super-lightweight, where he knocked out Thomas Dulorme to pick up the 140lb title on debut.

In 2017, the then unified titlist Crawford became the third undisputed champion of the four-belt era, stopping Julius Indongo inside three rounds to capture the remaining two straps at the weight, then moving onto the welterweight scene.

At welterweight is where Crawford truly flourished and proved his pound-for-pound talent, securing wins over Amir Khan, Kell Brook and Shawn Porter and then dominating and halting rival Errol Spence Jr to become the undisputed king at a second weight division – the first to achieve that feat as a four-belt champion.

Crawford fought just twice more, decisioning both Israil Madrimov and Canelo Alvarez to claim gold at super-welterweight and the undisputed throne at super-middleweight, with the latter being a win that will be talked about for generations to come.

Yet, on the ‘Mi Gallo Boxing Podcast’, hosted by two-time middleweight title challenger Gabriel Rosado, two-division world champion Mosley declared his belief that ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard would have had too much for the Omaha-born switch-hitter.

Leonard was a five-weight world champion, but it was at 147lbs where he managed to claim undisputed honours after wins over his fellow ‘Four Kings’ rivals Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns, along with his first world title triumph against Wilfred Benitez.

It is those accolades that show why Leonard was such a force in the welterweight division, and why Mosley believes he would have had been able to earn a victory against Crawford.

As for ‘Bud’ himself, whilst he seems set to stick to retirement, the 38-year-old does reportedly have a lucrative offer on the table, should he wish to make a return.

Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has suggested that goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali may have made a costly decision by leaving his former club, Chippa United, outside the transfer window.

Nwabali has been without a club since ending his stay with the South African side, a situation that has raised concerns ahead of Nigeria’s future international fixtures.

Speaking to Sowetan, Troost-Ekong admitted that, from an outsider’s perspective, staying at Chippa United might have been the better option.

“Obviously I can’t speak for Stanley, but based on how things have unfolded now, maybe it would’ve been a better decision to remain with Chippa,” Troost-Ekong said.

The defender, who has played for clubs including Watford and Udinese, praised Nwabali’s rise in recent years and his performances for the Super Eagles.

“That’s me speaking from the outside because, of course, we don’t know what occurred between him and the club. It’s a difficult one. I think seeing Stanley’s rise over the last years has been amazing.

“I think he’s been the soldier we need for the national team. He had a fantastic Afcon twice in a row, which is very difficult to do.”

Troost-Ekong believes the timing of Nwabali’s departure made it difficult for the goalkeeper to secure a new club quickly.

“I think probably the situation hasn’t been favourable for him because I think the time he terminated his contract with the club was outside the transfer window, which made it very difficult for him to find a new club,” the former Watford and Udinese defender explained.

The centre-back revealed that he has remained in contact with Nwabali and is confident the goalkeeper will soon find a new team.

“So, it’s been tough. I’ve spoken to Stanley a lot as well. I know he’s been training, keeping fit. Hopefully there’s going to be a good opportunity that comes his way now in the summer.

“It’s a difficult one, but I am sure he’s going to find a club and return back to playing his club football because we need him for the national team. For me, he’s too much of a good goalkeeper to be without a club.”

Nwabali established himself as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper after his impressive performances at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and remains a key figure in the Super Eagles setup despite his current club situation.

An exhibition bout between Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather has been expected for some time, and legendary heavyweight champion Larry Holmes has offered his thoughts on the scrap.

At the end of 2025, heavyweight icon Mike Tyson announced that he would be partaking in an exhibition against Mayweather, with an April fight date pencilled in for their battle in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

However, the show did not go ahead and it is unclear when it will, due to Mayweather’s planned exhibition against Mike Zambidis on Saturday night and then professional comeback against former foe Manny Pacquiao in September. 

Still, it has been reported that Mayweather has taken a $2 million advance on his reported $14 million purse for the Tyson fight, so there remains an expectation for the event to happen down the line. 

Speaking with CanadaCasino, Holmes, who was famously stopped by Tyson in 1988, warned Mayweather that he must be ready for the ‘real’ version of ‘Iron Mike’ to show up. 

“My advice for Floyd Mayweather? I would tell Floyd to be ready for Mike. Play [fight] or real [fight], you have to be ready because Mike’s always for real. 

“If Mike thinks he can still do it, God bless him. But I’m too old. I miss it, but I can’t do it any more.”

Mayweather vs. Zambidis is currently in jeopardy because of an ongoing lawsuit against the American but, if it takes place, it will top an 18-fight card being held at the Telekom Center, in Athens, Greece this weekend.

An Indianapolis man was charged after prosecutors say he stalked Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham and later threatened a Pacers Sports & Entertainment security executive who tried to stop the alleged contact.

Kevin C. Singh, 49, was charged in Marion County with stalking, intimidation and harassment, court filings reviewed by OutKick show.

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham was allegedly stalked by Indianapolis man Kevin C. Singh, who prosecutors say also threatened a Pacers security executive. (Pepper Robinson/NBAE)

The stalking and intimidation charges are Level 6 felonies. The harassment charge is a Class B misdemeanor.

The case was filed Wednesday in Marion Superior Court 26. The charges are allegations, and Singh has not been convicted in the case.

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Prosecutors allege Singh stalked Cunningham between Sept. 30, 2025, and June 2, 2026, through a repeated course of harassment that caused her to feel “terrorized, frightened, intimidated or threatened.”

Singh is also accused of communicating a threat to John Ball, vice president of security and event services for Pacers Sports & Entertainment, between June 1 and June 11. Prosecutors say the alleged threat was retaliation for Ball sending Singh a cease-and-desist letter.

Kevin Singh is seen in a booking photo. Singh was charged in Marion County, Indiana, with stalking, intimidation and harassment in a case involving Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. (Marion County Sheriff’s Office)

The probable-cause affidavit lays out a timeline that began on Sept. 30, 2025, when Singh allegedly hand-delivered a package addressed to “Sophie” at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Security cameras captured Singh walking into the arena and leaving the package with a security guard. Singh allegedly said the package was from his daughter and was intended for a player.

The package contained a Guns N’ Roses T-shirt sprayed with men’s cologne and a letter addressed to Cunningham. The letter thanked Cunningham for “a very special season” and was signed with a variation of the name tied to Singh’s X account, investigators said.

Pacers Sports & Entertainment later began monitoring an X account investigators say belonged to Singh.

Investigators say the account made multiple posts directed at Cunningham, including sexually explicit comments and references to Singh’s proximity to her.

One post included in the filing said, “You’re literally down the street from me!” Another allegedly referenced a building visible in the background of one of Cunningham’s posts and suggested her building was safe.

Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever stands for the national anthem before their game against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Lt. Darren Stonehouse of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office interviewed Cunningham on Monday.

Cunningham told investigators she first learned about Singh’s posts in February after Dana Harvey, the director of executive protection, warned her because of the nature of the posts.

Cunningham said she read some of the messages and was also told about the package delivered to Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

At first, Cunningham told investigators she thought Singh was another person posting disturbing things online.

But she said the continued posts caused her to stay home more often and have nightmares. Cunningham also told investigators she felt like she was always watching her back, did not feel safe and was fearful of Singh.

She said she has never met Singh, never responded to his social media posts and wanted the posts to stop.

Ball sent Singh a cease-and-desist letter on April 30 because of the number and nature of the posts.

FORMER LSU GYMNAST OLIVIA DUNNE IN TEARS OVER STALKING FEARS: ‘I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO’

The letter said Pacers Sports & Entertainment had become aware of “increasingly troublesome, inappropriate and unwanted communication” toward Cunningham. It directed Singh to stop all communication with Cunningham or any other Indiana Fever player or employee.

It also informed Singh that he was banned from Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Pacers Sports & Entertainment property and any Fever event or official team activity.

The posts continued after the letter was sent, prosecutors say.

An Indianapolis man was charged with allegedly stalking Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham and threatening a Pacers security executive who intervened. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Singh later called Ball’s office and said he understood the need to protect players but disagreed with the letter.

Ball told investigators Singh’s posts became more hostile and threatening after that conversation.

Several June posts included in the filing were directed toward Ball. One allegedly said Ball was going to see that Singh could reach out, too. Another said, “Pain is coming. I promise.”

Ball told investigators he believed Singh was threatening him with physical harm.

Ball also said Singh referenced his wife and the county where he lives, which caused him concern. He said the situation led him to alter some of his daily activities, begin carrying a firearm and contact local law enforcement for extra patrols around his home.

Prosecutors requested a bond higher than the standard amount, citing Singh’s prior convictions for stalking, intimidation and invasion of privacy. The state also said Singh was on probation in Hendricks County for two invasion-of-privacy convictions when the alleged conduct occurred.

The state requested that home detention and GPS monitoring be included as conditions of release.

A public case summary shows a magistrate found probable cause Wednesday and granted the state’s request for a greater-than-standard bond.

A Marion Superior Court staff member confirmed to OutKick/Fox News Digital that Singh is being held on a seven-day hold that began June 24. After that, he faces a $40,000 cash bond with home detention and GPS monitoring with exclusion-zone monitoring.

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham warms up at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)

A court order signed June 24 also bars Singh from Gainbridge Fieldhouse until the case is resolved or the order is vacated by the court. A no-contact order was also issued.

Singh’s initial hearing is scheduled for Thursday morning, June 25. The public case summary did not list a defense attorney for Singh as of Wednesday afternoon.

The allegations against Singh add to recent stalking cases involving high-profile women’s basketball players who now play in the WNBA.

Michael Lewis, a Texas man, was sentenced last year to 2 1/2 years in prison after pleading guilty to stalking and harassing Fever star Caitlin Clark. Authorities said Lewis sent Clark threatening and sexually explicit messages before he was arrested in Indianapolis.

CAITLIN CLARK STALKER SENTENCED TO 18 MONTHS IN PRISON AFTER HARASSING WNBA SUPERSTAR

Paige Bueckers, now a Dallas Wings guard, was also the target of a stalking case before entering the WNBA. Robert Cole Parmalee pleaded guilty in Connecticut to second-degree stalking after he was accused of harassing and threatening Bueckers while she played at UConn.

Parmalee received a one-year suspended sentence and three years of probation. He was barred from being around the UConn team and WNBA facilities.

OutKick reached out to Pacers Sports & Entertainment, the Indiana Fever and Gainbridge Fieldhouse for comment, but did not receive a response by publication.

Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo has been given a five-match ban for his challenge on Canada’s Ismael Kone at the World Cup.

Madibo, 29, was sent off during Qatar’s 6-0 defeat last Thursday following a foul which resulted in Kone sustaining a broken leg.

Fifa’s disciplinary committee has now imposed a five-match suspension for serious foul play, which is subject to appeal.

Kone suffered fractures to both the tibia and fibula bones in his lower left leg and the former Watford midfielder will miss the rest of the tournament.

The 24-year-old, who now plays for Italian side Sassuolo, underwent surgery shortly after the game in Vancouver and was visited in hospital by Madibo.

Canada play Switzerland in their final group game on Wednesday and hope to qualify for the last 32 as group winners.

Qatar need to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina to have any chance of progressing from the group stage.