NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
FIFA introduced a crazy rule for this year’s World Cup where players could receive red cards for covering their mouths while speaking; However, one of football’s biggest governing bodies will not do the same.
FIFA established the new rule to prevent players from concealing abusive, discriminatory or offensive language while on the field.
But the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) announced on Thursday that players will not be sent off the field for the infraction during Champions League, Europa League and Conference League matches next season.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Miguel Almirón of Paraguay reacts after receiving a red card for covering his mouth while talking to another player during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D match between Türkiye and Paraguay in Santa Clara, California, on June 19, 2026. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
UEFA said, however, that players could receive a yellow card if they “attempt to conceal the communication as an act of unsportsmanlike behaviour.”
“This is obviously without prejudice to any investigation or disciplinary proceedings that may follow as a consequence of or in connection with such behaviour,” a statement read.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino pushed for changes after Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni tried to cover up verbal insults towards Real Madrid striker Vinícius Júnior in a Champions League match. Football’s rules panel, the International Football Association Board, agreed that players can be penalized with a red card if they cover their mouth when verbally confronting another player.
Piero Hincapie of Ecuador (R) covers his mouth while arguing with Santiago Gimenez of Mexico (L) during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match between Mexico and Ecuador at Mexico City Stadium on June 30, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Martín Fonseca/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
FORMER TEAM USA STAR WANTS TO SEE CHANGE IN RED CARD RULES AFTER FOLARIN BALOGUN CONTROVERSY
The rule is not mandatory under the Laws of the Game, but gives tournament organizers such as FIFA the option to use it at their discretion.
The rule change was unanimously approved by the IFAB, which includes officials from FIFA and the four British football federations, at a special meeting before the FIFA Congress. FIFA’s proposal came after Vinícius, backed by Real Madrid teammate Kylian Mbappé, accused Prestianni of uttering a racially charged insult while raising his shirt to cover his mouth during the February match.
Miguel Almirón of Paraguay and Piero Hincapié of Ecuador are the only players who received a red card for covering their mouth.
Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic sends off Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapie during the 2026 World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 30, 2026. (Yuri Cortex/AFP via Getty Images))
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
If a referee shows a red card to a player, the player will be ejected from the match and must serve a one-game suspension in the next match. The team is also forced to play the rest of the game with 10 players.
