Key Takeaways
- Footballers who hide their mouths while speaking to rivals during arguments will receive red cards at the World Cup.
- Teams that walk off the pitch to protest referee decisions will also face red cards and possible defeat by forfeit.
- FIFA approved these changes after recent problems with racism and the Africa Cup of Nations final controversy.
FIFA has approved two major changes to football laws that will affect the upcoming World Cup. The world governing body announced the decisions on Tuesday after a special meeting of the FIFA Council in Vancouver, Canada.
The first change targets players who cover their mouths during heated moments with opponents. Referees will now show red cards to any player who hides their mouth while speaking to rivals during confrontations. This rule aims to stop racist and abusive comments that officials cannot hear or record.
The second change addresses teams who leave the field in protest. Players and officials who walk off the pitch to dispute referee decisions will now face immediate dismissal. The entire team risks forfeiting the match if they cause abandonment.
Both amendments received approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) as optional competition rules. FIFA confirmed these measures will take effect at this summer’s World Cup tournament.
The new rules follow two high-profile incidents. In February, Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth while speaking to Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior during a Champions League match. UEFA banned the Argentinian player for six matches after finding him guilty of homophobic behaviour.
The other incident occurred during the Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco. Senegalese players left the pitch and returned to their changing rooms to protest a penalty decision. Although they eventually returned and won the match, the Confederation of African Football later stripped them of the title and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino strongly supports the mouth-covering rule. He stated that players who hide their mouths while speaking probably have something bad to say. “If you do not have something to hide, you don’t hide your mouth when you say something,” he explained. “That is as simple as that.”
However, referees will keep full control over decisions. They must consider all circumstances before showing red cards for these offences.