FIFA's Gianni Infantino: Players Who Cover Mouths During Fights Get Red Cards at World Cup
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that soccer players who cover their mouths while speaking to opponents during confrontations will receive red cards at the World Cup. The new rule targets players who hide what they're saying during heated moments on the field.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino revealed new disciplinary rules that will give referees more power to control player behavior at the upcoming World Cup. Players who cover their mouths when speaking to opponents during confrontations will face automatic red cards.
The rule change comes after FIFA observed problematic behavior where players would hide their words from cameras and officials during heated exchanges. By covering their mouths, players could say things without being caught on video or lip-read by referees.
FIFA is also introducing red cards for players who leave the pitch in protest of referee decisions. This addition follows controversial scenes at the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal, where players walked off the field to show disagreement with officials.
The mouth-covering ban specifically targets confrontational situations between opposing players, not routine team communications or tactical discussions. Referees will have discretion to determine when the behavior crosses the line into confrontation.
This rule could change how players behave during tense moments in the world's biggest soccer tournament. Red cards force players to leave the game and can hurt their team's chances of winning, making mouth-covering a costly move.
The new rules will take effect at the next World Cup tournament, where referees will begin enforcing the mouth-covering penalties.
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