World Cup players who cover their mouths during confrontations with opponents will face a red card as part of a new initiative aimed at combating racism, world governing body FIFA has said.
In a statement on Tuesday following a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Vancouver, FIFA confirmed that the rule was one of two law changes that would be introduced at this year’s World Cup.
“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,” FIFA said in a statement.
This change stems from a Champions League match when Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni said racially abusive comments directed at Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior while pulling his jersey up over his mouth to hide what he was saying.
Vinicius was visibly emotional after the confrontation, and Prestianni received a six-match ban from UEFA for the incident.
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‘Don’t hide your mouth if you have nothing to hide’
In football, it’s a common practice for players to cover their mouths while talking, especially with teammates.
Usually, players cover their mouths when discussing tactical plans mid-game to avoid opposing teams and lip-readers from interpreting their discussion.
Other pundits and experts suggest that players covering their mouths helps their voice travel better so they can be heard clearly in a stadium full of roaring fans.
FIFA Chief Gianni Infantino previously voiced support for the new rule in an interview with Sky News last month.