FIFA has announced a significant rule change prompted by a controversial incident involving players Prestianni and Vinícius. This new regulation will require players to exercise greater caution regarding their verbal and gestural communication on the pitch.
Details: Effective immediately, starting with the opening match of the FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa, the “Vinícius rule” will be enforced. This rule prohibits players from covering their mouths with their hands while addressing referees or opponents during matches.
The implementation of this regulation follows a notable incident in which Brazilian player Vinícius accused Argentine player Prestianni of making racist remarks during a Champions League match between Benfica and Real Madrid. At the time, FIFA faced challenges determining the exact content of Prestianni’s comments, as he had obscured his mouth.
Under the new guideline, any player observed covering their mouth during a conversation in a World Cup match will receive a straight red card.