FIFA just made hiding your words on the pitch a sendoff offense. The governing body of world football, working with the International Football Association Board (IFAB), approved a new regulation on April 28, 2026, that allows referees to issue a straight red card to any player who covers their mouth during confrontations with opponents at the 2026 World Cup.
The rule, informally dubbed the “Vini Jr. Law,” is designed to strip away the one trick players have used for years to shield racist and abusive language from cameras and lip-readers.
The incident that changed the rules
The catalyst was a Champions League match in February 2026 between Benfica and Real Madrid. During the game, Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni was accused of directing racial abuse at Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior while covering his mouth, a gesture that made it nearly impossible for match officials and VAR operators to determine exactly what was said.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino endorsed the new rule as a mechanism to enhance accountability and transparency on the field. The logic is straightforward: if VAR and match officials can clearly see players’ mouths, they can better monitor behavior and act on abusive language in real time.
