FIFA Implements New Red-Card Rules to Tackle Racism

FIFA has announced changes to red-card regulations for the upcoming World Cup, aimed at combating racism, during a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Vancouver. As per the new rules, players covering their mouths in confrontational situations with opponents may be issued a red card. The decision follows incidents earlier in the year that raised concerns about racial abuse in football.

One notable case involved Gianluca Prestianni, a winger for Benfica, who was accused of racially abusing Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior during a Champions League match in February. Prestianni allegedly used racially charged language while covering his mouth. Although he denied the accusations, he faced a six-match ban (three of which were suspended) for "homophobic conduct."

FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed support for these new measures, highlighting the importance of ensuring accountability in such situations. In a recent interview, he indicated that if a player is covering their mouth and discussing something with potential racial implications, it warrants a strong disciplinary response. "If you do not have something to hide, you don’t hide your mouth when you say something. That’s it, as simple as that," Infantino stated.

In addition to the mouth-covering rule, FIFA also announced that players who leave the pitch in protest of referee decisions could receive a red card. This regulation will also apply to team officials encouraging players to leave the field. FIFA emphasized that teams causing a match to be abandoned would forfeit the game, a response to increasing instances of player protests.

The emphasis on these changes comes on the heels of an incident at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations final, where Senegal's team and coaching staff walked off the pitch after a controversial penalty decision. Although Senegal won the match, they were later stripped of the title by the Confederation of African Football.

These rule changes were made public as FIFA delegates convened in Vancouver ahead of the FIFA Congress, the final meeting of football's global governing body before the World Cup kicks off in Canada, Mexico, and the United States in June.