Trending Now - World Cup Players Risk Red Cards for Mouth-covering Disputes
WHO:
Daily Mail Sports - FIFA chief Gianni Infantino is involved in the new rule change.
The Times - Vinícius Jr, a player for Real Madrid, is mentioned in relation to a racism incident.
WHAT:
The Times - FIFA's new rule will not be enforced in other competitions, as the International FA Board (Ifab) stated it is up to competition organizers to decide on implementation.
The Times - Gianni Infantino stated, “If a player covers his mouth and says something, and this has a racist consequence, then he has to be sent off, obviously.”
The Times - UEFA banned Gianluca Prestianni for six matches, with three matches suspended, after he admitted to making homophobic comments during the incident involving Vinícius Jr.
The Times - FIFA will impose red cards for players who cover their mouths during confrontations at the World Cup.
The Times - Players who leave the pitch in protest at a referee’s decision will face instant dismissal.
The Times - UEFA banned Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni for six matches for making homophobic comments.
The Times - FIFA is expected to announce extra World Cup prize money and preparation funding worth up to an extra £2 million for 48 countries.
WHERE:
The Times - The new rules will be enforced at the World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Times - FIFA’s Congress is scheduled to be held in Vancouver.
WHEN:
The Times - The new rules will be brought into force for the tournament in June.
The Times - The incident involving Vinícius Jr occurred during a Champions League game in February.
WHY:
The Times - The new rules were prompted by the incident in which Senegal's players left the pitch in protest at the African Nations Cup final after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco, which was later overturned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) appeal board.
The Times - The new rules were prompted by a racism row involving Vinícius Jr and a confrontation with Gianluca Prestianni.
The Times - Gianni Infantino stated that rules need to be changed following the controversy of the African Nations Cup final.
HOW:
The Times - Ifab stated that any team official who incites players to leave the field of play may also be sanctioned, and a team that causes a match to be abandoned will, in principle, forfeit the match.
The Times - The International FA Board (Ifab) stated that players covering their mouths in confrontational situations may be sanctioned with a red card at the discretion of the competition organizer.
The Times - The referee may sanction with a red card any player who leaves the field of play in protest at a referee’s decision.
(UPDATED April 29, 2026 01:30 UTC)
FIFA's new rule regarding player conduct will not be enforced across all competitions, as the International FA Board has left the decision to individual organizers. In a related statement, FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized that if a player makes a comment with racist implications, they must be sent off the field. This directive follows a recent incident during the African Nations Cup final, where Senegal's players protested a controversial penalty awarded to Morocco, prompting discussions about accountability for team officials who incite such actions.
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(UPDATED April 28, 2026 23:20 UTC)
FIFA is set to implement new rules at the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, which will include red cards for players who cover their mouths during confrontations and instant dismissal for those who leave the pitch in protest of a referee's decision. This decision follows a racism incident involving Vinícius Jr and homophobic comments made by Gianluca Prestianni, prompting FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to call for changes after the controversy surrounding the African Nations Cup final. Additionally, FIFA is expected to announce increased World Cup prize money and preparation funding, potentially adding up to an extra £2 million for 48 countries, with the new rules taking effect in June.