FIFA president Gianni Infantino says players who cover their mouths while talking to opponents during confrontations should be given red cards. He argues that covering the mouth usually means the player is hiding something they shouldn’t say.
Infantino’s comments come after Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth while speaking to Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr in a Champions League match. Prestianni has a provisional one-match ban from UEFA over alleged racist language, which he denies, pending a full investigation.
Infantino believes football must be decisive and create deterrents. The issue is being discussed by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), with possible rules to be decided at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver on 30 April, ahead of the World Cup.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham says more consultation is needed to ensure any new rule doesn’t cause unintended problems.
