On July 2, 2026, UEFA confirmed that players will not be sent off for covering their mouths while speaking to opponents in its competitions, including the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. This decision comes after FIFA president Gianni Infantino proposed a rule change that would impose a red card for such actions during the World Cup.
UEFA's Stance on Mouth Covering
UEFA has opted not to implement a new rule that would penalize players for covering their mouths when communicating with rivals. A statement from UEFA indicated that referees may interpret this action as unsportsmanlike conduct, which could result in a yellow card. However, players will not face automatic dismissal for this behavior.
The governing body emphasized that disciplinary investigations could still follow incidents of mouth covering. This decision diverges from FIFA's approach during the World Cup, where players like Paraguay's Miguel Almirón received red cards for similar actions.
FIFA's Proposed Rule Change
FIFA's new rule, which was championed by Gianni Infantino, aimed to address concerns over player communication during matches. Under this rule, covering the mouth while speaking to an opponent would warrant a straight red card. Almirón was notably the first player to be sent off for this offense during the World Cup.
In contrast, England's Jude Bellingham managed to avoid a red card despite appearing to cover his mouth against Ghana, as it was deemed not confrontational. This inconsistency highlights the challenges of implementing such a rule across different competitions.
Recent Controversies and Future Implications
The issue of players covering their mouths gained significant attention following an incident in a Champions League match where Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni raised his shirt while speaking to Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior. Accusations of racist abuse arose, leading to a UEFA investigation that resulted in a ban for Prestianni due to anti-gay conduct.
Despite the controversies, UEFA has decided against adopting FIFA's stricter measures. They will, however, incorporate the new VAR rule that allows for checking incorrect corner decisions, which has already been utilized during the World Cup.
- Players will not be sent off for mouth covering.
- Referees may issue yellow cards for unsportsmanlike conduct.
- FIFA's rule led to red cards for players like Almirón.
- UEFA will not allow red cards for players leaving the pitch in protest.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by ESPN Soccer. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
