The rules regarding the awarding of red cards to players during the World Cup were updated on Tuesday following two controversial incidents this year in international football.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has insisted that changes be made after Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni tried to cover up verbal abuse of Vinícius Júnior during a Champions League match, and after the Senegal team walked off the pitch in protest against a referee's decision during a particularly heated and chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final.
The body responsible for developing the rules of football, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), has agreed that players can be sanctioned with a red card if they cover their mouth when verbally abusing another player.
This rule is not mandatory under the Laws of the Game , but it gives competition organizers like FIFA the option to apply it.
It was unanimously approved by IFAB officials from FIFA and the four British football associations at an extraordinary meeting Tuesday in Vancouver, British Columbia , ahead of the FIFA Congress scheduled for Thursday.
Offensive remarks
FIFA's proposal followed an accusation by Vinícius, supported by his Real Madrid teammate Kylian Mbappé, that Prestianni had uttered a racist insult while lifting his shirt to cover his mouth during the match in February.
Last week, UEFA handed Prestianni a six-match ban—three of which were suspended—for these offensive remarks , which it deemed homophobic. UEFA was unable to prove the racist insult, which Prestianni denied making, although he admitted to using homophobic language.
If Prestianni is selected for the Argentina World Cup squad, he will have to miss the reigning champions' first two games in June, although this suspension could be appealed.
"At the discretion of the competition organizer, any player covering their mouth during a conflict with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card ," said the IFAB.
2025 Africa Cup of Nations Final
The IFAB also agreed that any player leaving the field to protest a referee's decision can be shown a red card. This rule also applies to team officials who encourage players to leave the field.
The Senegalese players walked off the pitch during stoppage time of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in January to protest the awarding of a penalty to the host nation, Morocco , when the score was 0-0. The match was suspended for nearly 15 minutes before Morocco's penalty was saved. Senegal scored in extra time to win the title.
Senegal was subsequently stripped of its title by an appeals committee of the governing body of African football, and the case will now be judged by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The IFAB stated that these changes would be communicated to the 48 teams participating in the World Cup, which begins on June 11 and is being hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
