Players who cover their mouths during an encounter at this summer’s World Cup will be sent off, according to a new rule change introduced by FIFA.
FIFA proposed the stricter penalties following an incident involving Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, who said he was racially abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Brestiani, who covered his mouth while speaking to the Brazilian during a Champions League match in February.
Vinicius appeared visibly upset by the comment and immediately informed the referee, resulting in a 10-minute stoppage in play, as per UEFA regulations.
Any similar incident at this summer’s World Cup will result in a red card, after the rules were strengthened with unanimous approval at a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the body responsible for the game’s laws, in Vancouver on Tuesday.
A statement from the board explaining the legal amendment reads: “The tournament organizer may, at its discretion, sanction any player who covers his mouth in a confrontation with an opponent with a red card.” FIFA had put forward the idea of imposing sanctions on players who cover their mouths at the annual meeting of the International Football Association Board in Wales in February, shortly after the incident.
