01.05.2026 07:30
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has unanimously approved issuing red cards to players who cover their mouths to conceal discriminatory behavior.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) unanimously approved giving red cards to players who cover their mouths to hide discriminatory behavior.
In a statement from IFAB, it was noted that two rule changes proposed by FIFA to combat discriminatory and inappropriate behavior were unanimously approved during a special meeting held in Vancouver, Canada.
THEY WILL RECEIVE RED CARDS
According to the new rules, which will also be applied at the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be held this summer, players who cover their mouths to hide discriminatory behavior, as well as players who leave the pitch in reaction to a referee's decision or officials who encourage such actions, will face red card sanctions.
In the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 play-off tie played in February, Real Madrid's Brazilian star Vinicius Junior claimed that his opponent Gianluca Prestianni used racist language towards him.
The UEFA Disciplinary Committee had suspended the Argentine player, who covered his mouth during the argument with Vinicius Junior and denied the allegations, for 6 matches due to discriminatory behavior.