US EditionInfantino Suggests Players Could Be Sent Off for Covering Their Mouths in Confrontation
FIFA aims to deter racist or offensive behavior by proposing red cards for players covering mouths during confrontations, with potential rules ready for the 2026 World Cup.
- FIFA proposed at the IFAB meeting in Wales to explore sanctions for mouth-covering players, with measures possible for this year's World Cup, after discussions on Saturday with the International Football Association Board.
- On February 17 in Lisbon, during a Champions League tie, Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni was seen covering his mouth while addressing Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, prompting UEFA to provisionally suspend Prestianni and open an investigation.
- Infantino has argued for stronger on-field sanctions and behavioural incentives, noting `If a player covers his mouth and says something, and this has a racist consequence, then he has to be sent off, obviously`, while urging varied punishments and public apologies.
- IFAB backed immediate changes to how VAR operates and match restarts, including allowing VARs to intervene in three more situations and awarding possession for delayed throw-ins.
- Amid discussions, FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom said `These are important topics that we want to address`, while IFAB emphasised consultation and warned of unforeseen consequences.
129 Articles
129 Articles
The controversial episode that Gianluca Prestianni starred in with Vinicius Junior, at the one-way encounter of the playoff round to continue in race in the Champions League, finally won by Real Madrid, continues to generate repercussions. Not only unofficial, with different opinions, but directly from the main chair: FIFA president Gianni Infantino spoke about it and was sharp with sequences of this type.The Brazilian scored the only goal of th…
Now, covering your mouth while talking is a red card FIFA President Infantino is pushing for rule revision OSEN = Reporter Seungwoo Jeong FIFA President Gianni Infantino, 56, has taken a strong stance against covering your mouth with your hand or uniform while talking to an opponent during a match. Depending on the situation, an immediate red card may be issued.
Fifa plans strict rules against keeping mouths on the playing field. Infantino emphasizes: Consequences are necessary in the fight against racism.
Following the racism scandal surrounding real star Vinicius Jr., FIFA apparently wants to impose a drastic change in the rules that could already take place at the 2026 World Cup.
In the fight against racism: Anyone who hides his mouth in conversation with the opponent should fly away from the field.
Action could already take place at the World Cup: FIFA President wants to see players who keep themselves covered in a controversy. Prestianni at Benfica in the offside
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