UEFA Rejects FIFA's Red Card Rule for Covering Mouths in Matches
UEFA has declined to implement FIFA's rule mandating red cards for players covering their mouths during confrontations, a policy introduced by FIFA President Infantino and enforced at the 2026 World Cup. Instead, UEFA will allow referees discretion, potentially issuing yellow cards for unsporting behavior, while retaining disciplinary investigations. The rule stemmed from a Benfica-Real Madrid incident involving homophobic abuse. UEFA will adopt VAR for corner kicks.
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UEFA Refuses to Apply FIFA's New Automatic Red Card Rule for Mouth-Covering
UEFA has announced it will not apply FIFA's new rule that mandates an automatic red card for players who cover their mouths to conceal their words during a match. Instead, the European football governing body will allow referees to assess each situation individually, with unsportsmanlike conduct potentially resulting in a yellow card rather than an automatic expulsion. UEFA also noted that such behavior may still be subject to post-match investigations or disciplinary proceedings. This decision contrasts with the strict enforcement of the rule during the 2026 World Cup, where Paraguayan Miguel Almirón and Ecuadorian Piero Hincapié were both sent off for covering their mouths while speaking. UEFA's more flexible approach aims to give referees greater interpretive discretion rather than imposing an automatic sanction.
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot TransfertUEFA Rejects FIFA Rule That Led to World Cup Red Cards for Covering Mouths
UEFA has announced it will not adopt FIFA's controversial new rule that automatically sends off players for covering their mouths while speaking to opponents during matches. The rule, introduced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the 2026 World Cup, has already resulted in red cards for Paraguay's Miguel Almiron and Arsenal's Piero Hincapie. The policy was prompted by an incident where Vinicius Jr alleged racial abuse from Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni, who covered his mouth during an exchange. Instead of automatic red cards, UEFA will leave it to match officials to decide on a case-by-case basis, potentially issuing yellow cards for unsporting behavior. However, UEFA will adopt FIFA's use of VAR to verify corner decisions, a technology that has overturned 22 incorrect corners at the World Cup. The decision applies to the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League.
Mirror - FootballUEFA Refuses to Follow FIFA: No Red Cards for Players Covering Their Mouths in European Competitions
UEFA has announced it will not implement FIFA's new rule mandating a red card for players who cover their mouths while speaking to opponents, a rule already enforced at the 2026 World Cup where two players were sent off. The rule originated from a Champions League incident between Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr, where Prestianni was found guilty of homophobic behavior. FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposed the rule to IFAB, which accepted it. However, UEFA will leave the decision to referees' discretion, citing the natural habit of players covering their mouths and concerns about potential abuse. UEFA will still adopt other new rules, including VAR for corners and goal kicks, but will not systematically send off players for leaving the pitch to protest decisions.
Home Football - actualitésUEFA Will Not Send Off Players for Covering Mouths, Unlike FIFA at World Cup
UEFA has announced it will not follow FIFA's lead in implementing a new rule that makes covering one's mouth during confrontational exchanges with opponents a red-card offense. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) changed the laws in April, and FIFA applied the rule at the 2026 World Cup, resulting in red cards for Paraguay's Miguel Almiron and Ecuador's Piero Hincapie. The rule was prompted by a February Champions League incident where Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth while speaking to Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, later receiving a ban for homophobic conduct. Instead of red cards, UEFA will instruct referees to show yellow cards for attempting to conceal communication as unsporting behavior, while preserving the possibility of disciplinary investigations. UEFA has opted to expand VAR powers to review incorrectly awarded corners, a change also introduced by IFAB.
Soccer - The AthleticUEFA Will Not Send Off Players for Covering Mouths in Competitions
UEFA, the governing body of European football, will not adopt FIFA's new rule that punishes players with a red card for covering their mouths during confrontational exchanges with opponents. Instead, UEFA will instruct referees to use discretion and issue yellow cards for attempting to conceal communication as unsporting behavior. The decision contrasts with FIFA's enforcement at the 2026 World Cup, where Paraguay's Miguel Almiron and Ecuador's Piero Hincapie were sent off under the new law. The rule was introduced by IFAB following a February 2026 Champions League incident involving Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior and Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni, where Prestianni was later banned for homophobic conduct. UEFA confirmed its policy in a communication to member associations on July 2, 2026, while noting that disciplinary investigations may still follow such incidents.
Soccer - The AthleticUEFA Will Not Send Off Players for Covering Mouths, Rejecting FIFA Rule Change
UEFA has announced that it will not implement the new FIFA rule making it a red-card offence for players to cover their mouths while speaking to opponents in confrontational situations. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) introduced the rule in April 2026, and it has been enforced at the World Cup, leading to red cards for Paraguay's Miguel Almiron and Ecuador's Piero Hincapie. The rule was prompted by a February 2026 Champions League incident where Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth while speaking to Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr, who alleged racial abuse; Prestianni was later banned for homophobic conduct. UEFA communicated to member associations that it will instead advise referees to show yellow cards for attempting to conceal communication as unsporting behaviour, using discretion. UEFA will, however, adopt another IFAB change expanding VAR's power to review incorrectly awarded corners.
Soccer - The AthleticUEFA Rejects FIFA's Red Card Rule for Covering Mouth, Adopts VAR for Corner Kicks
UEFA has decided not to adopt FIFA's controversial rule that penalizes players covering their mouths during confrontations with a red card, a rule proposed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to create a deterrent effect at the World Cup. The decision applies to the Champions League, Europa League, and UEFA Europa Conference League. The rule gained attention after Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth while speaking to Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior, leading to a six-match ban for homophobic behavior. UEFA stated referees should judge each situation case by case, potentially issuing yellow cards for unsportsmanlike conduct. The rule has sparked controversy over presumption of guilt and potential exploitation. Meanwhile, UEFA will implement VAR reviews for incorrect corner kick decisions, with 22 corner kicks already overturned to goal kicks during the World Cup. UEFA will not adopt another optional rule to red-card players leaving the field in protest of referee decisions.
虎扑 - 足球Uefa will not use red cards for players who cover their mouth in confrontations
Uefa has confirmed it will not implement the red card rule for players who cover their mouths during confrontations with opponents in its competitions, including the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. The rule, proposed by Fifa president Gianni Infantino and approved by Ifab in April, was intended as a deterrent against racist or homophobic abuse. It gained attention after Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni was banned for six matches for homophobic conduct toward Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. Two players, Paraguay's Miguel Almiron and Ecuador's Piero Hincapie, have already been sent off at the 2026 World Cup under this rule via VAR review. Uefa stated referees should assess situations individually and may issue yellow cards for unsporting behavior, while disciplinary investigations remain possible. The decision has been controversial, with concerns about presumption of guilt and potential misuse. Uefa will, however, allow VAR to check incorrect corners.
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