A pair of high-profile incidents have led to rule changes that will go into effect at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with players set to be shown a red card if they cover their mouths during a confrontation and also sent off if they leave the field in protest.
Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth with his shirt during a confrontation with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior in a high-profile UEFA Champions League contest in February.
After being accused of racism, the Argentine defended himself by saying he had instead used homophobic language. The spat caused a 10-minute delay in the match that eventually resumed with Prestianni still on the field. He later was given a six-match ban for homophobic conduct.
Under regulations approved Tuesday, April 28 by The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the independent regulatory body which governs the laws of the game, Prestianni now would be sent off.
"At the discretion of the competition organizer, any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card," a FIFA news release read.
"It's a bad gesture," Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, said in a statement. "We need to take care of how important the impact is of anything that happens on the field of play on the new generations of football players and football supporters, football fans. And this goes in that direction."
The IFAB also agreed to a rules amendment that will allow referees to show players and officials a red card if they leave the field of play in protest of a decision or encourage players to do the same.
Senegal manager Pape Thiaw notably ordered his team to leave the field late in January's African Cup of Nations final against Morocco. The players returned to the field after a significant delay, only for Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy to save the disputed penalty.
Senegal won the match in extra time, only for the Confederation of African Football to rule months later that they had forfeited by walking off the field. The case is currently being appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The new law looks to be aimed at preventing a similar delay, with the manager and the players who leave the field now potentially being shown red.
"Now, the players would be considered as sent off. And also, those who instigate players to leave the field of play will be considered as sent off, and the team who abandoned the field of play will forfeit the match," Colina said.
"We need to do our best to protect the image of the game, in particular in a competition like the World Cup, which is the most viewed competition in sport around the world. It is a responsibility, so we need to do everything to make this World Cup, let's say, the best possible. And certainly, protecting the image is a key point."
FIFA noted it will communicate the rules update to the 48 teams taking part in the World Cup in the upcoming weeks.
With World Cup qualifying now complete, national teams around the globe are turning their attention toward soccer's biggest tournament.These are 12 incredible players to watch as they represent their countries on the World Cup stage. Above, Sweden’s Alexander Isak plays for his national team. The forward is set to be one of the key figures for Sweden at the World Cup as he continues his role leading the attack for club and country.
1 / 1012 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World CupWith World Cup qualifying now complete, national teams around the globe are turning their attention toward soccer's biggest tournament.These are 12 incredible players to watch as they represent their countries on the World Cup stage. Above, Sweden’s Alexander Isak plays for his national team. The forward is set to be one of the key figures for Sweden at the World Cup as he continues his role leading the attack for club and country.
With World Cup qualifying now complete, national teams around the globe are turning their attention toward soccer's biggest tournament.These are 12 incredible players to watch as they represent their countries on the World Cup stage. Above, Sweden’s Alexander Isak plays for his national team. The forward is set to be one of the key figures for Sweden at the World Cup as he continues his role leading the attack for club and country.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mouth-covering, leaving field now red-card offenses at 2026 World Cup