FIFA Will Issue Red Cards for Mouth-Covering Confrontations During the World Cup
FIFA will penalize players with red cards for covering their mouths during confrontations at this summer’s World Cup.
Football’s lawmakers have sanctioned a new regulation requiring red cards for players who cover their mouths during confrontations at this summer’s FIFA World Cup, as authorities aim to address abusive behavior and enhance transparency on the pitch.
The decision follows Vinícius Júnior’s claim of racial abuse by Gianluca Prestianni during a UEFA Champions League match in February. The forward from Real Madrid informed the referee about the incident after Prestianni, a player for Benfica, covered his mouth while conversing with him on the field. Play was paused for 10 minutes in line with UEFA’s anti-discrimination protocols.
In response, FIFA put forward stricter sanctions, which were unanimously accepted during a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) convened in Vancouver, Canada, on Tuesday.
An IFAB statement indicated, “At the discretion of the competition organizer, any player who covers their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may face a red card sanction.”
The situation concerning Prestianni has resulted in disciplinary measures being taken. Last week, UEFA imposed a six-match ban on the player for conduct that was classified as discriminatory and anti-gay. Three of those matches have been suspended for a duration of two years, whereas one has already been provisionally served. The sanction is still open to appeal.
FIFA first introduced the proposal at IFAB’s annual general meeting in Wales in February, soon after the incident occurred. On the following day, FIFA president Gianni Infantino expressed his support for implementing red cards for players who hide their speech when facing opponents.
In a separate yet connected action, players who leave the field in protest of refereeing decisions — as well as officials who support such behavior — will face immediate dismissal during the World Cup. In general, teams that are responsible for causing a match to be abandoned will forfeit the game.
The decision comes after tumultuous events during the Africa Cup of Nations final in January, when players from the Senegal national football team briefly exited the field in protest following a late penalty awarded to the host team, Morocco. The match was delayed by 17 minutes due to the incident.
Senegal initially secured victory after Brahim Díaz missed the penalty, leading the game into extra time; however, the outcome was subsequently reversed. The Confederation of African Football has revoked Senegal’s title, granting the trophy to Morocco after an appeal was made.
