The IFAB and FIFA presented new rules with a view to avoiding discriminatory acts in matches and which will begin to be applied at this year's World Cup. Among the measures, players who cover their mouths when arguing with their opponents may be expelled from the field. The decision takes place after the case involving Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid forward, and Gianluca Prestianni, Benfica's Argentine winger, in the Champions League.
First modification: 04/29/2026 - 22:10
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Players who participate in the World Cup and cover their mouths during confrontations with their opponents will receive a red card as part of a new initiative aimed at combating racism, as announced by FIFA, world football's governing body.
In a statement issued after a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Vancouver, FIFA confirmed that this rule was one of two rule changes that would be introduced at this year's World Cup.
"At the discretion of the competition organizer, any player who covers his mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card," FIFA said in a statement.
The new rule follows controversy earlier this year, when Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni was accused of using racist insults against Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior during a Champions League match in February.
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Prestianni was accused of repeatedly calling Vinicius a "monkey" while covering his mouth. Prestianni denied having used racist insults against Vinicius, but was subsequently banned for six games.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino had expressed his support for the change in regulations in an interview with the British network 'Sky News' last month.
"If a player covers his mouth and says something, and it has racist consequences, then obviously he has to be sent off," Infantino said.
"You have to start from the premise that you said something you shouldn't have said, otherwise you wouldn't have had to cover your mouth."
"If you have nothing to hide, you don't shut up when you say something. It's that simple."
Sanction for anyone who leaves the field due to a referee's decision
In a separate rule change announced Tuesday that will apply to the World Cup, FIFA said red cards will also be introduced for players who leave the field of play in protest of a referee's decision.
"At the discretion of the competition organiser, the referee may issue a red card to any player who leaves the field of play in protest of a refereeing decision," FIFA said.
"This new rule will also apply to any member of the coaching staff who encourages players to leave the field of play."
Read also"Racists are cowards": Vinicius leads the victory in a darkened Champions League match
What happens if a team causes the suspension of a match
FIFA has declared that the team that causes the suspension of a match will lose the match due to non-appearance.
This decision comes after the uproar caused at this year's African Cup of Nations final, when Senegal's players, coach Pape Thiaw and his coaching staff left the pitch in Rabat after Morocco were awarded a penalty in added time, which striker Brahim Díaz ultimately missed.
Senegal ended up winning the final 1-0 after extra time, but were stripped of the title by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in a bombshell decision issued last month.
The rule changes came as FIFA delegates met in Vancouver ahead of Thursday's FIFA Congress, the final meeting of soccer's world governing body before the World Cup begins in Canada, Mexico and the United States in June.
Read alsoAfrica Cup of Nations: CAF strips Senegal of the title and gives it to Morocco
With AFP, EFE and local media
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