Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni fights for the ball towards 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 accepted a brand new rule that will penalize gamers with a pink card in the event that they cowl their mouths when verbally confronting one other participant.
The rule was unanimously accepted by IFAB at a gathering held Tuesday in Vancouver, British Columbia. The measure will likely 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 constructing a racially charged insult whereas protecting his mouth throughout a Champions League match in February.
Final week, UEFA handed Prestianni a six-game ban for the verbal abuse, which it stated 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 might be appealed.
“On the discretion of the competitors organiser, any participant protecting their mouth in a confrontational scenario with an opponent could also be sanctioned with a pink card,” IFAB introduced.
The group, which units the foundations for worldwide soccer, additionally introduced that any participant who leaves the sector in protest of a referee’s choice might be sanctioned with a pink card. The rule additionally applies to workforce officers who urge gamers to depart the sector.
IFAB stated the amendments will likely be communicated to all 48 groups enjoying within the World Cup, hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.
