FIFA president says players who cover their mouths could be sent off in new rule

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has spoken out in the aftermath of the racism storm surrounding Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr and Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni in the Champions League

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has revealed that players could be SENT OFF for lifting their shirts above their faces when they talk to rivals. Players’ actions have been under the spotlight over the past few weeks following the racism storm involving Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior and Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.

The latter was accused of saying a racist comment towards the Brazilian after hiding his face. Prestianni has denied the accusation, reportedly claiming that he instead used a homophobic slur.

UEFA have launched a thorough investigation of the incident, with Prestianni having been provisionally banned in the aftermath. FIFA are reportedly considering sanctions for players when they cover their mouths, something which Infantino has confirmed.

Speaking to Sky News, he said: “If a player covers his mouth and says something, and this has a racist consequence, then he has to be sent off, obviously.

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READ MORE: Jose Mourinho breaks silence after criticism over Vinicius Junior incident with Benfica vowREAD MORE: FIFA consider making ‘Vinicius Law’ in response to Benfica vs Real Madrid racism scandal

“There must be a presumption that he has said something he shouldn’t have said, otherwise he wouldn’t have had to cover his mouth. I simply do not understand, if you don’t have something to hide, you don’t hide your mouth when you say something.”

Infantino added: “That’s it, as simple as that. And these are actions that we can take and we have to take in order to be serious about our fight against racism.”

Discussions over the rule are thought to be at an early stage, with no imminent introduction expected. But the proposal would have backing from the English associations who make up the International Football Association Board (IFAB) alongside FIFA, with the idea having been suggested in a technical meeting earlier this week.

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Former Manchester United manager and current Benfica boss Jose Mourinho offered his take on the situation between Vinicius and Prestianni this weekend, taking a hardline stance. Mourinho said: “If the player is guilty, I will not look him in the eye again, and he has finished with me, but I need to insert many ‘ifs’ in front.

He added: “I am against all forms of discrimination, of racism. If my player did not respect these principles, which are also those of Benfica, his career with a manager named Mourinho and in a club like Benfica is over.”

“The presumption of innocence is a right, so I need to always insert ‘if’ he said. If, unfortunately, UEFA, to ensure the player was banned for the match, discovered article 4206328 as a reason to suspend him, they failed to include the ‘if’ which should have been there.”

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