Players who cover mouths in confrontations to be sent off at World Cup - confirming plans revealed to Sky News

Players who cover their mouths in confrontations with opponents to conceal discriminatory conduct face being sent off at the World Cup - after football's rule-makers voted through plans first revealed by Sky News.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in our interview last month he wanted quick action to change the laws of the game following abuse faced by Real Madrid player Vinicius Jr that went unpunished during a Champions League fixture.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) announced after a meeting in Vancouver, Canada: "At the discretion of the competition organiser, any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card."

FIFA will adopt the law change for the World Cup which is being played in June and July across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

A 'presumption' of wrongdoing

The incident in the match in Lisbon in February led to anti-discrimination protocols being activated after Vinicius complained about being racially abused by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni after scoring a goal.

It was the Brazilian Vinicius who was booked for an excessive celebration while the game resumed.

It was unclear what Prestianni said because his mouth was covered.

Mr Infantino told Sky News after the incident: "If a player covers his mouth and says something, and this has a racist consequence, then he has to be sent off, obviously.

"There must be a presumption that he has said something he shouldn't have said, otherwise he wouldn't have had to cover his mouth."

Last week, a UEFA disciplinary investigation concluded with Prestianni being banned for six matches for homophobic comments. One match of the ban has been served and half of the punishment is suspended for a two-year probationary period.

UEFA, the Champions League organisers, have not explained why Prestianni's account was backed over the claims from Vinicius.

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AFCON controversy

The special IFAB meeting also addressed the controversy in the Africa Cup of Nations final when Senegal walked off the pitch for around 15 minutes in protest against a refereeing decision before returning and beating hosts Morocco.

The result was overturned in an unprecedented ruling by the Confederation of African Football - handing Morocco the title - although that decision is being challenged legally.

Now the laws of the game have been hardened by IFAB, a panel featuring the four UK football associations and FIFA leaders.

IFAB said in a statement: "At the discretion of the competition organiser, the referee may sanction with a red card any player who leaves the field of play in protest at a referee's decision.

"This new rule will also apply to any team official who incites players to leave the field of play."

Matches are abandoned if five or more players are sent off. IFAB said teams "in principle forfeit the match".

(c) Sky News 2026: Players who cover mouths in confrontations to be sent off at World Cup - confirmi