Revolution in the regulation after the Champions League scandal » FIFA has approved drastic sanctions
Article by Alexandru Tomuțiu – Published Tuesday, April 28, 2026 23:29 / Updated Tuesday, April 28, 2026 23:29
Referees will now be able to red card footballers who cover their mouths during an exchange of lines with an opponent. The IFAB unanimously approved the change on Tuesday at a meeting held in Vancouver. The rule will already be in effect at this summer's World Championship, hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The rule change was proposed by the International Football Federation (FIFA) following the incident between Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior and Benfica Lisbon's Gianluca Prestianni. Prestianni covered his mouth with his shirt in mid-February in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 play-off.
The new rule changes will come into effect at the World Cup
He was initially suspended for alleged racial slurs and on Friday was eventually handed a six-match ban for homophobic behaviour.
Similar player behavior could lead to a red card even at the World Cup.
Based on FIFA's recommendations, other rules will also be changed. Players who leave the pitch in protest at the referee's decisions also risk a red card. The team that causes the interruption of the match will lose the game on the green table.
The change is a reaction to incidents at the Africa Cup of Nations final in January. Then, Senegal's representatives left the field after a penalty was awarded to Morocco. Senegal won the match but later lost the title precisely because of this controversy.
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The 2026 World Championship will be held in 3 countries: USA, Mexico and Canada. It will take place between June 11 and July 19. It will be the first tournament in history with 48 teams;
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The tournament will feature a total of 104 matches over 38 days, making it the longest World Cup in history.
