WORLD CUP | Paredes Branded 'Pathetic' for Trying to Get Kane Sent Off

Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes was called "pathetic" by former England goalkeeper Joe Hart after attempting to get England captain Harry Kane sent off for covering his mouth during the World Cup semi-final, according to Yahoo Sports. Paredes complained to referee Ismail Elfath after Kane briefly covered his mouth while speaking to the official in the first half in Atlanta. A new rule introduced before the tournament mandates an immediate red card for players covering their mouths during verbal confrontations with an opponent, leading to earlier sendings-off for Ecuador's Piero Hincapie and Paraguay's Miguel Almiron. Kane was not involved in a confrontation, and Hart criticized Paredes' actions, saying Kane was just trying to communicate with the referee.