"Thief, thief, Barton. They killed football. FIFA, you killed football." That's what Jorge Chipi Vera broadcast live to Paraguay during their match against Türkiye on June 19 — and it's cost him his World Cup credential.
Vera, who calls matches for ABC Cardinal and ABC TV, lost it when referee Ivan Barton produced a red card for Miguel Almirón. The offence? Almirón, 32, covered his mouth with his hand while appearing to say something to Türkiye's Mert Müldür — a violation of a new FIFA rule designed to stop players hiding potentially racist or homophobic remarks from lip-readers and officials. Paraguay won the match 1-0, but Vera was already past the point of no return.
What he actually said
The rant didn't stop at the referee. Vera turned on FIFA President Gianni Infantino directly: "Infantino, you're responsible for this. FIFA, take responsibility for turning football into this. A disgrace. You should be ashamed, Infantino."
Then came CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez: "Less photos with Infantino. Grow a pair. You f***ing thieves. Is this what we have to come and see at a World Cup? What sons of bitches!"
It was, by any measure, a comprehensive meltdown — officials, governing bodies, and the sport itself all in the firing line inside two minutes of live audio.
The fallout and the appeal
Vera apologized on June 22 via social media, acknowledging he "used offensive and unacceptable expressions" and that "questioning a refereeing decision never justifies losing control the way I did." He's also sent a formal apology letter to FIFA, which has stayed silent publicly on the matter.
The ban is total. Vera cannot cover Paraguay inside or outside World Cup stadiums for the remainder of the tournament — including any knockout stage matches should Paraguay advance. ABC Cardinal has appealed, arguing the punishment is "extreme and manifestly disproportionate" for a first-time transgression. FIFA hasn't budged yet.
The irony is that Paraguay won the game Vera was melting down during. Almirón played on with ten men, the team ground out the result, and the commentator who called it won't be there to see what comes next.
