Proposed rule change could see red cards for players covering mouths
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has suggested that footballers who cover their mouths while speaking to opponents on the pitch could face red cards under proposed changes to the laws of football, reports BritPanorama.
This initiative comes amid FIFA’s escalating efforts to combat racism within the sport. The proposal follows a recent incident involving Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, who accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of making discriminatory remarks during a matches.
Traditionally, players have covered their mouths to shield conversations from television cameras and lip readers. However, Infantino contends that stronger measures are necessary to deter such actions when they may conceal abusive language.
Although Prestianni has denied the allegations, he has been suspended while a formal investigation is underway prior to Benfica’s Champions League play-off against Real Madrid. Vinicius Junior addressed the controversy on Instagram, stating, “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to demonstrate how weak they are.”
The issue was discussed at Saturday’s International Football Association Board meeting, where Infantino emphasized the need for a more proactive stance against players who obscure their mouths to avoid accountability. He remarked to Sky News, “If a player covers his mouth and says something, and this has a racist consequence, then he has to be sent off, obviously.” He further noted that a presumption should exist that there is something derogatory being concealed, adding, “I simply do not understand, if you don’t have something to hide, you don’t hide your mouth when you say something.”
Infantino also stressed the importance of encouraging accountability among players, suggesting cultural changes that could allow those who make mistakes to apologise. “Maybe we should also think about not just punishing, but also somehow allowing… to apologise,” he said. These proposals could be implemented in time for the World Cup, with the upcoming FIFA Congress in Vancouver being a vital opportunity for discussion on the matter.
This initiative highlights FIFA’s ongoing battle against racism, a persistent issue in football that continues to demand serious attention and action across the sport. The development underscores how entrenched problems require not just policy changes, but a shift in cultural attitudes too, as football seeks to ensure that the beautiful game remains open to all.
