Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni fights for the ball towards Actual Madrid’s Vinicius Junior throughout a Champions League playoff soccer match between SL Benfica and Actual Madrid in Lisbon, Portugal, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.
Pedro Rocha/AP
conceal caption
toggle caption
Pedro Rocha/AP
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The Worldwide Soccer Affiliation Board authorized a brand new rule that will penalize gamers with a pink card in the event that they cowl their mouths when verbally confronting one other participant.
The rule was unanimously authorized by IFAB at a gathering held Tuesday in Vancouver, British Columbia. The measure shall be in place at this summer season’s World Cup, beginning on June 11.
FIFA proposed the rule after Actual Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of constructing a racially charged insult whereas protecting his mouth throughout a Champions League match in February.
Final week, UEFA handed Prestianni a six-game ban for the verbal abuse, which it mentioned had been homophobic in nature. If Prestianni is chosen for Argentina’s World Cup squad, he might have to sit down out the defending champion’s first two matches this summer season, though the ban could be appealed.
“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,” IFAB introduced.
The group, which units the principles for worldwide soccer, additionally introduced that any participant who leaves the sphere in protest of a referee’s choice could be sanctioned with a pink card. The rule additionally applies to staff officers who urge gamers to depart the sphere.
IFAB mentioned the amendments shall be communicated to all 48 groups taking part in within the World Cup, hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
