FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed that players who cover their mouths while speaking on the pitch could be sent off if their words result in racist abuse, as world football intensifies efforts to stamp out discrimination. His comments follow allegations involving Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica and Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid during a recent Champions League fixture.
Prestianni was accused of racially abusing Vinícius Junior while appearing to shield his words with his shirt. Addressing the controversy in an interview with Sky News, Infantino stated that if a player deliberately covers his mouth and utters words with racist consequences, the appropriate sanction should be a red card. He added that such conduct creates suspicion and undermines transparency on the field of play.
Infantino stressed that football authorities must take firm and visible action to demonstrate seriousness in the fight against racism. According to him, decisive measures are necessary to deter misconduct and reinforce accountability at all levels of the game.
The FIFA President disclosed that the matter could be discussed at the next FIFA Congress scheduled to hold in Vancouver next month. Football’s governing body may consider implementing rules to restrict players from covering their mouths during matches, potentially as early as this year’s World Cup. Infantino also indicated that FIFA could examine whether sanctions for racist abuse should vary in cases where an offending player issues a public apology.