Why are World Cup refs giving red cards to players covering their mouths when confronting opponents?
Summary
World Cup referees are giving red cards to players who cover their mouths while arguing with opponents during games. This new rule aims to stop players from hiding bad or offensive language and has already been enforced in matches, including one involving Ecuador defender Piero Hincapié.Key Facts
- The rule warns players they will get an immediate red card if they cover their mouths during verbal confrontations.
- Ecuador’s Piero Hincapié was sent off under this rule in a match against Mexico.
- The rule is called the “Prestianni Law,” named after an incident where Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth to hide insults in a Champions League match.
- FIFA introduced the rule to prevent abusive or discriminatory language from being concealed during games.
- The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which makes soccer rules, approved this change before the 2026 World Cup.
- Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón was the first player to receive a red card for this offense at the World Cup.
- A red card means the player is ejected from the game and cannot be replaced.
- The rule is optional and can be enforced at the discretion of tournament organizers like FIFA.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.