Players who cover their mouths when confronting an opponent will be immediately sent off at this summer’s World Cup, under new, tougher sanctions.
This significant rule change comes after Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior reported racial abuse from Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, who covered his mouth during a Champions League match in February.
Vinicius was visibly upset by the comment and promptly informed the referee, prompting a 10-minute halt in play in line with UEFA regulations.
Any similar incident at the upcoming tournament will now result in a red card, following a unanimous agreement by football’s lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), in Vancouver on Tuesday.
An IFAB statement outlining the law change read: “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.”
UEFA announced last Friday that Prestianni had been given a six-match ban in relation to the incident for discriminatory conduct that was homophobic in nature, with three of the games suspended for two years and one already served on a provisional basis.
It is understood Vinicius’ allegation of racism was found not proven by UEFA’s control, ethics and disciplinary body (CEDB) and that Prestianni admitted using a homophobic slur towards the Brazilian. The sanction imposed is still subject to appeal.
FIFA brought the idea of bringing in sanctions for players covering their mouths to the IFAB’s annual general meeting in Wales in February, shortly after the incident occurred.
The day after the meeting, FIFA president Gianni Infantino told Sky News he thought red cards should be issued when a player confronts an opponent and covers their mouth.
Players who walk off the pitch in protest at refereeing decisions – and officials who incite players to do so – will also face instant dismissal at this summer’s finals, again following a recommendation from FIFA to the IFAB.
A team that causes a match to be abandoned will, in principle, forfeit the match.
The change follows the chaotic scenes witnessed during the Africa Cup of Nations final in January, when Senegal’s players left the field after the award of a penalty to hosts Morocco deep into injury time.
Their actions delayed the match by 17 minutes, and Senegal went on to win after Brahim Diaz missed the spot-kick and the game went to extra time.
Senegal were stripped of the title by an appeal board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which last month overturned the result and awarded the trophy to Morocco.
Senegal is appealing against that decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).