Footballers who cover their mouths in a dispute can be thrown off the pitch in the future. The IFAB is pursuing a specific goal with the new rules.
The IFAB football regulators unanimously decided on Tuesday that football players will in future be able to see a red card if they cover their mouths during an argument with an opponent. The measure is already valid for the 2026 World Cup.
The Football Association Board approved a corresponding proposal from the world football association FIFA at a special meeting in Vancouver, Canada. The rule change is intended to prevent discriminatory and inappropriate behavior, it said in a statement.
In February, the European association UEFA banned Gianluca Prestianni from Benfica Lisbon. He is said to have insulted Real star Vinicius Junior in the Champions League playoffs, and during the exchange the Argentine held his jersey to his mouth.
Red also when leaving the field
Another FIFA proposal was also unanimously approved: In future, the referee can punish a player with a red card even if he leaves the pitch in protest against a decision by the referee. The same applies to team officials asking players to leave the field.
Such scenes caused a scandal in the final of the Africa Cup. Senegal was subsequently stripped of its title; the official winner is final opponent Morocco.
The IFAB announcement also states that a game will generally be counted for the opponent if one team causes the game to be abandoned.
