A Paraguayan broadcaster had his media credential revoked by FIFA after he made a full-throated condemnation of a referee and the sport\u2019s governing body during a recent World Cup match between Paraguay and Turkey.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Jorge \u200bChipi Vera of ABC Cardinal and ABC \u200bTV in the South American nation went on an expletive-laden tirade following Paraguay\u2019s Miguel Almir\u00f3n receiving a red card<\/a> during Paraguay\u2019s 1-0 win over Turkey after he covered his mouth during an on-field confrontation, which is a violation of new FIFA rules for the World Cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n The new edict is an effort to combat racial abuse during matches.\u00a0<\/p>\n Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron (center) argues with referee Ivan Barton (right) with defender Juan Jose Caceres (left) during a Group D match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images<\/p>\n But Vera was livid when Salvadorian referee Iv\u00e1n Barton red-carded Almir\u00f3n for covering his mouth during an exchange with Turkey\u2019s Mert Muldur.\u00a0<\/p>\n Vera began his rant by calling the ref a \u201cthief\u201d before turning his sights on FIFA.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThey killed football,\u201d he said, according to a translation by Awful Announcing<\/a>. \u201cFIFA, you killed football. [FIFA president Gianni] Infantino, you\u2019re responsible for this. FIFA, take responsibility for turning football into this. A disgrace. You should be ashamed, Infantino.\u201d<\/p>\n Jorge \u200bChipi Vera had his credential revoked. @ChipiVera89\/X<\/p>\n Then, Vera turned his sights on CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez, telling him to take fewer photos with FIFA\u2019s president. Vera said he needed to \u201cgrow a pair.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cYou f\u2013king thieves. Is this what we have to come and see at a World Cup?\u201d Vera ranted. \u201cWhat sons of bitches! This is inexplicable, this is a disgrace. They\u2019re killing football and leaving us with one less player.\u201d<\/p>\n Once FIFA got wind of Vera\u2019s comments, they took swift action, pulling his media credential for the rest of the tournament, which in turn will keep him from calling another World Cup match in 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n The television broadcaster did make an apology on social media Monday for what he called an \u201coutburst.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Barton Cisneros shows a red card to Miguel Almiron of Paraguay. BENJAMIN FANJOY\/EPA\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n \u201cIn the midst of my frustration over the expulsion of a player from my \u200ccountry, and feeling that my national team was being harmed, I used offensive and unacceptable expressions against the referee, FIFA, \u200band its authorities,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Vera also said he will now not be able to take part in World Coverage inside or outside the stadiums, and that he has sent a letter to apologize to FIFA.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cQuestioning \u200ba rule or disagreeing with a refereeing decision never justifies losing control the way I did,\u201d he said. \u201cI failed you in something fundamental: maintaining the composure and respect that this profession requires.\u201d<\/p>\n Every match of the FIFA World Cup will air on either FOX or FOX Sports 1. If you don\u2019t have cable, you can take advantage of a DIRECTV free trial<\/a> to stream it all.<\/p>\n Prefer to check out the action live and in person? Shop World Cup 2026 tickets on SeatGeek<\/a> and make sure to use promo code NYPOST10 for $10 off purchases over $250 at checkout if you\u2019re a first-time SeatGeek user.<\/p>\n