UEFA confirmed that players will not face expulsion for covering their mouths while speaking to opponents in its competitions. The governing body has opted not to implement this rule in next season’s Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.
A statement issued by UEFA on Thursday indicated that referees may interpret covering the mouth to hide communication as unsportsmanlike behavior, which could lead to a yellow card. The statement also noted, “This is without prejudice to any disciplinary investigations or actions that may arise from such behavior.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino had previously advocated for a rule change at the World Cup, proposing that players who cover their mouths to address rivals could receive a direct red card.
During the World Cup, Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón was the first to receive a red card for this offense. Ecuador’s Piero Hincapié also saw red under the same circumstances.
In contrast, England’s Jude Bellingham avoided a red card despite appearing to cover his mouth against Ghana, as officials determined it was “not in a confrontational manner,” according to ESPN sources.
The debate over players covering their mouths gained traction during a Champions League match in February when Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth while speaking to Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior. Following the incident, Vinícius accused Prestianni of racial abuse, and after an investigation, Prestianni was found guilty of anti-gay conduct, resulting in a six-match ban.
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Despite the aforementioned incident occurring in UEFA’s flagship competition, they have chosen not to adopt FIFA’s rule for covering mouths. UEFA also decided against implementing a regulation to issue red cards to players who leave the field in protest.
Nonetheless, UEFA will allow VAR to review incorrect corner calls, a practice already utilized at the World Cup.
This report includes information from ESPN’s Mark Ogden.