FIFA Introduces Red Card for Mouth-Covering in Football

FIFA has enacted a new disciplinary rule that will classify covering one's mouth during confrontations on the football field as a red card offense. This decision was reached during a special meeting held in Vancouver, Canada, on Tuesday.

The proposal was submitted to FIFA to address discriminatory and inappropriate behavior, particularly in light of incidents involving players like Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr., who faced racist abuse. FIFA President Gianni Infantino suggested that players who cover their mouths in protest against referees' decisions could face immediate dismissal from the match.

This rule aligns with IFAB's statement empowering referees to take action against players leaving the pitch in protest, similar to a scenario that occurred during the AFCON 2025 final. The new regulation will be implemented at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, with participating nations being informed of the changes in the coming week.