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FIFA introduced a wild rule for this year’s World Cup where players could receive red cards for covering their mouths while speaking; however, one of football’s biggest governing bodies will not follow suit.
FIFA established the new rule to prevent players from concealing offensive, discriminatory or offensive language while on the pitch.
But the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) announced on Thursday that players will not be sent off for the offense during Champions League, Europa League and Conference League matches next season.
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Miguel Almiron of Paraguay reacts after receiving a red card for covering his mouth while talking to another player during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, California on June 19, 2026. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
However, UEFA said players could receive a yellow card if they “attempt to disguise communication as an act of unsportsmanlike conduct.”
“This is of course without prejudice to any disciplinary investigation or proceeding that may follow as a consequence of or in connection with such conduct,” it said in a statement.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino pushed for changes after Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni tried to cover up verbal abuse at Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior in a Champions League match. Football’s rule-making panel, the International Football Association Board, agreed that players can be punished with a red card if they cover their mouths when verbally confronting another player.
Piero Hincapie of Ecuador (R) covers his mouth while arguing with Santiago Gimenez of Mexico (L) during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Mexico and Ecuador at Mexico City Stadium on June 30, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Martín Fonseca/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
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The rule is not mandatory within the laws of the game, but allows tournament organizers such as FIFA to use it at their discretion.
The rule change was unanimously approved by the IFAB, which includes officials from FIFA and the four British football associations, at a special meeting ahead of the FIFA Congress. FIFA’s proposal followed Vinícius, backed by Real Madrid teammate Kylian Mbappé, accusing Prestianni of making a racially charged insult while lifting his shirt to cover his mouth during the match in February.
Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron and Piero Hincapie of Ecuador are the only players red carded for covering their mouths.
Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic sends off Ecuador’s defender Piero Hincapie during the 2026 World Cup 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador at Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 30, 2026. (Yuri Cortex/AFP via Getty Images))
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If a player is shown a red card by a referee, the player is ejected from the match and must serve a one-match suspension in the following match. The team is also forced to play the rest of the match with 10 players.
