By Francis Onyach - Reporter
Kenya, April 29, 2026 - Football is set for a major rule change ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with lawmakers approving a controversial new regulation: players who cover their mouths during confrontations could now be shown a red card.
The decision, approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), comes in response to recent high-profile incidents involving Vinícius Júnior and Gianluca Prestianni, which exposed a major loophole in how on-field abuse is handled.
Under the updated laws:
- A player may receive a red card if they cover their mouth while speaking during a confrontation with an opponent
- Referees are allowed to treat such behavior as suspicious, especially if it appears to conceal abusive or discriminatory language
- The rule will be implemented at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with other competitions free to adopt it later
The aim is simple: increase transparency and make it harder for players to hide offensive remarks on the pitch.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino had earlier pushed for stricter action, arguing that covering the mouth creates a “presumption” that something inappropriate may be said.
The Vinícius–Prestianni incident that changed everything#
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This rule did not come out of nowhere, it is directly linked to a controversial Champions League clash.
During a match between Real Madrid and Benfica, Vinícius Júnior accused Gianluca Prestianni of making discriminatory remarks while covering his mouth with his shirt, making it difficult for officials to verify what was said in real time.
The situation escalated quickly:
- The match was temporarily halted following the complaint
- Prestianni later received a six-match ban for discriminatory (homophobic) conduct
- The incident sparked global debate about how hidden verbal abuse is handled in football.
This moment exposed a critical issue: players could potentially hide offensive language from cameras and officials, making enforcement extremely difficult.
The new rule is part of a broader effort to tackle:
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- Racism and discrimination on the pitch
- Lack of accountability during player confrontations
- Hidden verbal abuse that cannot be proven due to lack of visibility
By penalizing the act of covering the mouth itself, authorities are effectively removing the “shield” that has made such behavior hard to detect.
Not just about mouth-covering#
Interestingly, the same rule package also includes another major change:
- Players who leave the pitch in protest of refereeing decisions can also be sent off.
- Teams that cause matches to be abandoned could even forfeit the game.
This follows controversial scenes in recent tournaments where teams walked off in protest, creating chaos and legal disputes, particularly in the AFCON 2025 final that saw Senegal get stripped of the title after having walked out of the pitch in protest to match officiating.
While FIFA sees this as a necessary step forward, the rule has already sparked debate.
Supporters argue that it strengthens the fight against discrimination and improves transparency and accountability.
Critics, however, warn that players sometimes cover their mouths for tactical privacy, not abuse. The rule could be too subjective, depending on referee interpretation.
There are concerns about punishing players who react to genuine abuse situations.
This new regulation, already being dubbed by some as the “Vinícius”, marks a significant shift in how football handles on-field behavior.
It sends a strong message: hidden abuse will no longer be tolerated, even if it cannot be clearly heard or recorded.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, all eyes will be on how strictly this rule is enforced, and whether it truly improves fairness in the game or introduces new controversies of its own.