Infantino suggests that players could be ejected for covering their mouths during a confrontation

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has raised the prospect of red cards being shown to players who cover their mouths when facing opponents.

The issue was highlighted in recent weeks after Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior said he was racially abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni during a Champions League match.

Prestianni, who denies the allegations, had approached Vinicius while covering his mouth with his jersey during Madrid’s 1-0 win in the first leg of the play-off tie. He was provisionally suspended from the second stage while an investigation was ongoing.

The issue of players covering their mouths was discussed at a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) on Saturday.

Also read | Tottenham fined for ‘racist or discriminatory’ behavior by fans in Frankfurt

Measures could come into effect at this summer’s World Cup.

“If a player covers his mouth and says something, and this has racist consequences, then of course he should be sent off,” Infantino told Sky News. “There must be a suspicion that he said something he shouldn’t have said, otherwise he wouldn’t have had to cover his mouth.

“I just don’t understand: if you have nothing to hide, you don’t hide your mouth when you say something.

«It is, it’s that simple. And these are actions we can take, and we must take, to take our fight against racism seriously.»

Published on March 2, 2026