FIFA president Gianni Infantino has increased the possibility of red cards for players who cover their mouths when confronting opponents if the gesture is linked to racist abuse.
The issue gained attention following allegations made by Real Madrid striker Vinicius Junior. He said Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni racially abused him during their Champions League play-off.
Prestianni denies the allegations. During Madrid’s 1-0 win in the first leg, television footage showed him approaching Vinicius while covering his mouth with his shirt. He was temporarily suspended for the second leg while the investigation was underway.
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The matter was discussed at the meeting of the board of the International Football Association on Saturday. The IFAB determines and regulates the Laws of the Game.
Infantino said football authorities must be firm when dealing with suspected racist remarks during matches.
“If a player covers his mouth and says something and it has a racist implication then of course he has to be sent off,” he told Sky News.
“There has to be a presumption that he said something he shouldn’t have said, or he wouldn’t have had to cover his mouth.
He added that players should not feel the need to hide their words as long as nothing inappropriate is said.
“I just don’t get it. If you have nothing to hide, you don’t hide your mouth when you say something,” he said.
“That’s it, it’s that simple. And these are the steps we can take and must take to get serious about our fight against racism.”
Any change to the rules would require formal IFAB approval before being introduced into the competition. Infantino hinted that the measures could be implemented in time for this summer’s World Cup if agreed.
The debate comes amid ongoing scrutiny of how football deals with racism on the pitch. Vinicius has been subjected to racist abuse in previous matches in Spain and in European competitions.
Governing bodies have strengthened disciplinary codes in recent years. Anti-racism protocols are in place at major tournaments. However, incidents continue to occur, prompting calls for clearer and more decisive action.
For the time being, no amendment to the laws has been confirmed. But the debate signals that football’s lawmakers are considering further steps to tackle verbal abuse and improve accountability during matches.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
02 March 2026 18:31 IST
