Red cards to be issued at World Cup to players who cover mouths during disputes

A pair of controversial incidents in world soccer this year has led FIFA to update its rules on when red cards can be issued by referees.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), soccer’s rulemakers, approved two proposals that would see red cards issued to players who cover their mouths while confronting an opponent and for any players who leave the field in protest of a referee's call.

Both proposals will be implemented beginning with this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

However, according to FIFA, regarding other tournaments, enforcement is “at the discretion of the competition organizer.”

“The Prestianni rule”

During a February Champions League match, Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior alleged that Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica directed a racist slur his way. The allegation caused a 10-minute delay in the match as referee François Letexier initiated UEFA's anti-racism protocol.

Gianluca Prestianni of SL Benfica confronts with alleged racist comments directed at Goal Scorer Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid C.F. after goal celebrations during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

(Gualter Fatia via Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappé said he heard Prestianni call Viní Jr. a "monkey" five times. The 20-year-old Prestianni, who covered his mouth when he was speaking, denied the allegations, reportedly saying he used a homophobic slur.

UEFA ended up banning Prestianni for six matches -- after he had already served one -- with three matches being suspended for 12 months. Should he make Argentina's World Cup roster, he would be suspended for the first two games, though he can appeal.

AFCON final mayhem leads to stricter punishment

IFAB also approved a rule stating that any player who leaves the field of play in protest of a referee’s call is subject to a red card. Coaches and team officials who provoke players to leave the field could also be sent off.

A forfeit will be called if a team abandons a match.

This rule is in reaction to the bizarre finish between Senegal and Morocco during the Jan. 18 final of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Senegal held an in-game protest for 15 minutes by leaving the field during second-half stoppage time. Fans attempted to enter the field following the awarding of a penalty kick to Morocco with the score tied 0-0. That decision came just minutes after what would have been a winning goal for Senegal was called off at the other end.

That led to both benches breaking out into a fight on the sidelines. Eventually, Senegal manager Pape Thiaw called his team off the field and into the locker room.

Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo calls for a VAR decision during the Africa Cup of Nations final football match between Senegal and Morocco. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)

(FRANCK FIFE via Getty Images)

Senegal would return to the field to continue the game, which the referee allowed. Morocco forward Brahim Díaz missed his penalty kick that he was awarded nearly 20 minutes earlier, which sent the final into extra time.

In the 94th minute, Pape Gueye hit the game-winner and sealed Senegal's second AFCON title in the past three tournaments.

The Confederation of African Football appeal board ruled in March that Morocco is the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations champions after it declared Senegal "have forfeited the Final." Senegal's 1-0 victory was recorded as a 3-0 win for Morocco nearly two months after the match ended in chaos.

The legal battle between the two federations is not over as the case has moved to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.