Jorge Vera, the Paraguayan sports commentator known widely as Chipi Vera, won’t be calling any more matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The global football governing body pulled his media credentials after he went scorched-earth on match officials and FIFA itself during a live broadcast.
The incident unfolded during Paraguay’s group-stage match against Turkey, a contest Paraguay won 1-0. A red card issued to Paraguayan star Miguel Almiron lit the fuse.
What Vera actually said
During his live commentary, Vera called the referee a “thief” and accused FIFA of “killing football.” He also directed criticism at FIFA president Gianni Infantino, turning what could have been a brief rant into a full-throated indictment of the sport’s governing apparatus.
The red card that triggered Vera’s outburst was itself controversial. Almiron was sent off for covering his mouth during a confrontation with a Turkish player. The decision sparked immediate debate over how player conduct rules are being applied at this tournament.
