In strong remarks reflecting a new and stricter direction in the world of football, FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Sunday that footballers who cover their mouths during verbal altercations should be immediately sent off. This bold proposal aims to close loopholes that some might exploit to hurl racist insults away from the cameras and lip-readers.
The context of the fight against racism in stadiums
Gianni Infantino's call comes at a time of increasing pressure on international sports bodies to take stronger action against racism. Covering one's mouth while speaking between players and coaches has long been a common practice for tactical purposes, but recently, in moments of anger and confrontation, it has become a potential way to conceal racist and verbal abuse, making it more difficult for disciplinary committees to establish guilt through lip-reading.
These statements came in response to the controversial incident involving Argentine player Gianluca Prestini of Portuguese club Benfica, who was accused of racially abusing Real Madrid's Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior. This incident has reopened the sensitive issue of racism in European football and prompted FIFA to seek more radical solutions that go beyond traditional sanctions.
Proposal details and changing game culture
Speaking to Sky Sports, Gianni Infantino his new philosophy, saying: "If a player covers his mouth and says something with racist connotations, then of course he should be sent off. It should be assumed that he said something that shouldn't have been said, otherwise he wouldn't have needed to cover his mouth." This statement indicates FIFA's desire to shift the burden of proof and impose stricter, more immediate penalties on the pitch.
The Italian-Swiss official added, emphasizing the need for firmness: "These are measures we can and must take to show that we are taking our fight against racism seriously." He stressed that it's not just about punishment, but also about education and culture. Infantino pointed to the importance of giving offenders a chance to apologize and change their behavior, saying: "Perhaps we should think not only about punishments, but also about changing our culture… Someone might do things they regret in the heat of anger, apologize, and then the punishment should be different.".
The repercussions of the incident and anticipated international actions
On the field, UEFA had provisionally suspended Prestini pending the outcome of an investigation into the incident that occurred during the first leg of the UEFA Youth League play-off in Lisbon. The match was halted for approximately ten minutes after Vinicius complained of being called a "monkey," allegations the Argentine player later denied.
This proposal is expected to resonate widely within the global sporting community, as the issue was raised during the International Football Association Board (IFAB) meeting on Saturday. All eyes are now on the upcoming FIFA Congress in Vancouver next month, where the international body could make binding decisions regarding measures to prevent players from covering their mouths. These strict rules could be implemented starting with the next World Cup, marking a historic shift in football disciplinary regulations.
