Football’s rule-making body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), has approved new measures that could see players sent off for covering their mouths during confrontations on the pitch.
The decision was taken at a special meeting in Vancouver, as part of efforts to tackle inappropriate behaviour ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Under the amendment, competition organisers such as FIFA will have the option to impose red-card sanctions on players who conceal their speech while arguing with opponents. IFAB said the move is designed to deter abusive or offensive language that may otherwise go undetected.
The change follows a recent UEFA Champions League incident involving Gianluca Prestianni and Vinícius Júnior. UEFA handed Prestianni a six-match ban, partly suspended, after concluding he used a homophobic slur, although racial abuse could not be proven.
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IFAB also approved a separate rule allowing referees to send off players or team officials who leave the field in protest of decisions. The measures are optional, but all 48 teams set to compete at the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, United States and Canada will be informed of the changes in the coming weeks.
