FIFA Considers 'Vinicius Law' to Combat Racism in Football
FIFA is reportedly exploring the introduction of a new regulation, informally referred to as the 'Vinicius Law', aimed at addressing racist incidents in football. This initiative follows an alleged racial abuse scandal during a Champions League play-off match between Benfica and Real Madrid last week.
Alleged Racist Abuse Incident
Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior accused Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni of racist abuse during the clash on February 17. The incident occurred when Prestianni covered his mouth while appearing to speak to Vinicius, making the exact words disputed. Prestianni has vehemently denied using any racist language.
The match was paused for 10 minutes in line with UEFA regulations after Vinicius reported the alleged abuse to referee Francois Letexier. Despite the stoppage, Vinicius played the full game, contributing to Real Madrid's 1-0 victory in Lisbon.
FIFA's Proposed Measures
According to insiders, FIFA is keen to tackle such behaviour by considering sanctions for players who cover their mouths when talking to opponents. This idea was raised at a technical meeting ahead of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) annual general meeting in Wales.
The British associations, part of IFAB alongside FIFA, were receptive to the concept, though practical enforcement details require careful consideration. Discussions are in early stages, and no formal proposal is expected immediately.
Additional FIFA Considerations
FIFA is also believed to be reviewing penalties for players walking off the pitch, potentially increasing sanctions from a yellow to a red card. This follows chaotic scenes at the end of the Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco.
Aftermath and Reactions
After the match, Vinicius posted on Instagram, stating, "Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to demonstrate how weak they are." He later played in the return leg, scoring a crucial goal in Real Madrid's 2-1 win, securing a 3-1 aggregate victory.
UEFA imposed a provisional sanction on Prestianni, ruling him out of the tie, though Benfica appealed the decision. The appeal was dismissed on Wednesday, maintaining the ban.
FIFA has been approached for comment but has not yet issued a formal statement. The exploration of the 'Vinicius Law' marks a significant step in ongoing efforts to combat racism in international football.
