FIFA has announced that the newly implemented “Prestiani Law” will be enforced during the upcoming 2026 World Cup in response to rising concerns over racism in football.
The law aims to impose harsher penalties for acts of racism on the field. According to a report by The Guardian, this decision follows a scandal involving Benfica player and Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior.
Under the new rule, players who cover their mouths while speaking to opponents may face a straight red card. This measure is designed to address incidents like the Prestiani–Vinícius case, where evidence was lacking due to the player covering his mouth.
While Prestiani received a six-match suspension, it was not for racism but for using a homophobic slur against Vinícius, highlighting the broader issues of discrimination in the sport.