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FIFA introduced a wild rule for this year’s World Cup in which players could receive red cards for covering their mouths while speaking; however, one of soccer’s largest governing bodies will not be following suit.
FIFA established the new rule to prevent players from hiding abusive, discriminatory or offensive language while on the field.
But the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) announced Thursday that players will not be sent off the field for the infraction 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 Türkiye and Paraguay in Santa Clara, California, on June 19, 2026. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
UEFA did say, however, that players could receive a yellow card if they are “attempting to conceal communication as an act of unsporting behaviour.”
“This is obviously without prejudice to any disciplinary investigation or proceedings that may follow as a consequence of or in connection with such behaviour,” a statement said.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino pushed for changes after Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni tried to hide verbal insults toward Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior in a Champions League match. Soccer’s rulemaking panel, the International Football Association Board, agreed that players can be penalized 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 gives tournament organizers like FIFA the option to use it at their discretion.
The rule change was unanimously approved by IFAB, which includes officials from FIFA and the four British soccer federations, 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 raising his jersey to cover his mouth during the game in February.
Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron and Piero Hincapie of Ecuador are the only players to be red-carded for mouth-covering.
Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic expels Ecuador’s defender Piero Hincapie during the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 football match between Mexico and Ecuador at the 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 an official, the player is ejected from the match and must serve a one-game suspension in the following match. The team is also forced to play the remainder of the match with 10 players.
OutKick’s Matt Reigle and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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