The International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved new sanctions that allow referees to issue red cards to players who cover their mouths during verbal confrontations and to anyone who leaves the field in protest of a referee’s decision. The amendments, endorsed unanimously by IFAB representatives from FIFA and the four British football associations, were adopted at a special meeting in Vancouver on Tuesday, ahead of the FIFA Congress on Thursday.
The changes were prompted by two high‑profile incidents earlier this year. In February, Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni attempted to conceal verbal insults aimed at Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior during a Champions League match. UEFA later imposed a six‑match ban on Prestianni for using a homophobic slur, though it could not substantiate the alleged racial abuse. The new rule would permit a red card in similar situations, giving competition organisers, including FIFA, discretion to enforce harsher penalties.
A second incident involved the Senegal national team in the Africa Cup of Nations final in January. After Morocco was awarded a penalty in a 0‑0 dead‑heat, Senegal players walked off the pitch in protest. Play resumed after a 15‑minute delay, and Senegal eventually won in extra time. The walk‑off led to the title being stripped from Senegal by the Confederation of African Football’s appeals panel, with the case now pending before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
IFAB’s wording states that “at the discretion of the competition organiser, any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card.” The provision also extends to team officials who encourage players to abandon the field. These measures are not mandatory under the Laws of the Game but give tournament organisers the option to adopt them.
The amendments will be communicated to all 48 nations participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins on 11 June and will be co‑hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. If Prestianni is named in Argentina’s World Cup squad, the existing ban would prevent him from playing in the defending champion’s first two matches, although an appeal is possible.
The revised regulations reflect growing pressure on football’s governing bodies to address abusive language and unsporting conduct more effectively. By granting referees the authority to issue red cards in these contexts, IFAB aims to deter future incidents and uphold the integrity of international competitions. The implementation of these rules will be closely watched as the World Cup approaches, providing a test case for the sport’s broader disciplinary framework.
