Players who cover their mouths during on-field confrontations with opponents risk being sent off at the World Cup under a new rule change. The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the game's lawmakers, announced that those guilty of such actions could now receive a red card.
Background of the Rule Change
The decision follows FIFA president Gianni Infantino's call for action after a row involving Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr and Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni. In February, Vinicius accused Prestianni of racially abusing him during a heated Champions League clash. Prestianni had his shirt over his mouth during the dispute and later admitted to a homophobic slur. He was banned for six matches by UEFA after accepting the charge but denied racial abuse allegations.
In a statement, the IFAB said: 'At the discretion of the competition organiser, any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card.'
Additional Rule Amendment
The IFAB also confirmed that players who walk off the pitch in protest at a refereeing decision could be dismissed. This follows the controversy in the Africa Cup of Nations final in January, where Senegal's players left the field for several minutes after a contentious penalty was awarded to Morocco in stoppage time. They eventually returned and won the match, but the Confederation of African Football overturned the result and awarded the final to Morocco. Senegal has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The IFAB stated: 'At the discretion of the competition organiser, the referee may sanction with a red card any player who leaves the field of play in protest at a referee's decision. This new rule will also apply to any team official who incites players to leave the field of play. A team that causes a match to be abandoned will, in principle, forfeit the match.'
The two rule amendments will apply at this year's World Cup, being held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
