Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni fights for the ball in opposition to Actual Madrid’s Vinicius Junior throughout a Champions League playoff soccer match between SL Benfica and Actual Madrid in Lisbon, Portugal, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.
Pedro Rocha/AP
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Pedro Rocha/AP
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The Worldwide Soccer Affiliation Board accredited a brand new rule that may penalize gamers with a pink card in the event that they cowl their mouths when verbally confronting one other participant.
The rule was unanimously accredited by IFAB at a gathering held Tuesday in Vancouver, British Columbia. The measure might be in place at this summer time’s World Cup, beginning on June 11.
FIFA proposed the rule after Actual Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of creating a racially charged insult whereas masking his mouth throughout a Champions League match in February.
Final week, UEFA handed Prestianni a six-game ban for the verbal abuse, which it mentioned had been homophobic in nature. If Prestianni is chosen for Argentina’s World Cup squad, he might have to take a seat out the defending champion’s first two matches this summer time, though the ban may be appealed.
“On the discretion of the competitors organiser, any participant masking their mouth in a confrontational scenario with an opponent could also be sanctioned with a pink card,” IFAB introduced.
The group, which units the principles for worldwide soccer, additionally introduced that any participant who leaves the sphere in protest of a referee’s choice may be sanctioned with a pink card. The rule additionally applies to staff officers who urge gamers to go away the sphere.
IFAB mentioned the amendments might be communicated to all 48 groups enjoying within the World Cup, hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
