UEFA will not enforce red cards to players who cover their mouths in confrontations with opponents in European competitions.
FIFA brought in the rule change for the World Cup in North America – which has already seen the dismissal of two players.
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Dubbed the ‘Prestianni Law’, the rule is aimed to prevent players from hiding abusive, discriminatory, or offensive language.
It comes after Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni allegedly made racist comment towards Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior while covering his mouth in a Champions League match in February.
The one-cap Argentina international, who was omitted from Lionel Scaloni’s World Cup squad, was later slapped with a six-game ban by UEFA for homophobic conduct.
Who has been affected by the rule at the World Cup so far?
Fifa president Gianni Infantino subsequently proposed that anyone hiding their mouths when confronting another player at the World Cup would be shown an instant red card.
Ex-Newcastle star Miguel Almiron was the first to be stung in Paraguay’s 1-0 win over Turkey.
Almiron was then seen covering his mouth while appearing to direct words to Turkey’s Mert Muldur after his teammate Isidro Pitta went down following a strong challenge.
Meanwhile, Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie was given his marching orders in Ecuador’s round of 32 defeat to co-hosts Mexico.
Towards the end of the game – with the South American nation already heading home – Hincapie was involved in a heated exchange with forward Santiago Gimenez.
Gimenez refused to flinch when the former Bayer Leverkusen full-back got in his face, but immediately flagged to officials once he covered his mouth – with Hincapie sent off after VAR intervention.
Meanwhile, England star Jude Bellingham was perhaps lucky to avoid an early bath when he did so in the Three Lions’ 0-0 draw with Ghana in Group L.
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What have UEFA said about the rule?
Despite Prestianni’s incident occurring in UEFA competition, European’s governing body will not be enforcing the law in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League for the 2026/27 season.
That is in addition to it not being used in European Championship and Nations League matches.
There have been concerns at the World Cup so far that players could look to get the opposition sent off even when nothing abusive has been said.
UEFA have now advised referees to brandish yellow cards to players in cases where they are ‘attempting to conceal communication as an act of unsporting behaviour’.
They also declared: “This is obviously without prejudice to any disciplinary investigation or proceedings that may follow as a consequence of, or in connection with, such behaviour.”
Another rule that UEFA will not be implementing is players receiving automatic red cards for storming off the pitch in protest at a refereeing decision.
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However, one rule that will continue in European competition going forward is VAR checking incorrect corner kicks.
As of Thursday, 22 corners have been overturned at the World Cup so far.
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