The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved a new rule under which players can receive a red card if they cover their mouths during a verbal conflict with an opponent.
The decision was unanimously confirmed at a meeting held on Tuesday in Vancouver and will be implemented starting with this year’s World Championships, which begin on June 11.
FIFA proposed the change after Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of a racist insult while covering his mouth with his hand during a Champions League match in February.
UEFA last week suspended Prestianni for six matches for the verbal attack, which it called homophobic.
UEFA confirms multi-match suspension for Prestianni after racist incident with Vinicius
If selected in Argentina’s World Cup squad, Prestianni could miss the defending world champions’ first two matches due to the suspension, although there is the possibility of an appeal.
“By decision of the competition organisers, any player who covers his mouth in a confrontation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card,” IFAB said after the meeting.
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The organization that sets international soccer’s rules also announced at the same time that any player who leaves the field in protest at a referee’s decision could receive a red card. The same rule applies to members of the coaching staff if they encourage players to leave the field.
The IFAB stated that any changes to the rules will be communicated to the national teams competing in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
