UEFA Rejects FIFA Rule Mandating Red Cards for Players Covering Mouths During Confrontations

UEFA announced on Thursday that it will not adopt FIFA's new rule requiring referees to issue red cards to players who cover their mouths during confrontations with opponents. This means that in UEFA competitions such as the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, European Championship, and Nations League, referees will not be obligated to send off players for this behavior. The rule, approved in April by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and already in effect at the current World Cup, has led to two players being sent off: Miguel Almirón of Paraguay and Piero Hincapié of Ecuador, both for covering their mouths while addressing opponents during disputes.

The rule change was prompted by an incident in a Champions League match between Real Madrid and Benfica in February, where Vinícius Júnior accused Gianluca Prestiani of making racist remarks while covering his mouth with his shirt. Prestiani denied the racism allegations but was later suspended for six games, three of which were conditional, due to homophobic behavior. UEFA clarified that referees will have discretion under the new guidelines. Players who cover their mouths to conceal speech may receive a yellow card for unsporting behavior but will not be automatically sent off. Additionally, such incidents may still lead to disciplinary proceedings if inappropriate language is confirmed.

UEFA has, however, adopted another IFAB change introduced before the World Cup, expanding VAR's authority to correct erroneous corner kick decisions and convert them into goal kicks. During the World Cup, 22 corner kicks were overturned following video reviews. FIFA emphasized that the new rule does not ban mouth covering during conversations but targets confrontations specifically. For example, England midfielder Jude Bellingham was not sent off for covering his mouth while speaking to Ghana's Jordan Ayew, as referees did not consider it a confrontation. FIFA's refereeing committee chairman, Pierluigi Collina, explained that covering the mouth during friendly talk is acceptable, but in confrontations, it indicates an attempt to hide potentially serious remarks, representing a deliberate act rather than an instinctive one.