Before the World Cup, players were warned about a new rule that issues an immediate red card for covering their mouths when verbally confronting another player. This rule aims to prevent players from hiding abusive or offensive language. The rule, known as the “Prestianni Law,” was introduced after an incident involving Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, who allegedly used a racial insult while covering his mouth. FIFA president Gianni Infantino advocated for this change, which was approved by the International Football Association Board. The rule is not mandatory but can be enforced at FIFA’s discretion. Recently, Ecuador’s Piero Hincapié received a red card under this rule during a match against Mexico, although it did not affect the game’s outcome. Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón was the first to be penalized under this rule in a match against Turkey. A red card results in the player’s ejection and a one-game suspension, leaving the team at a disadvantage for the remainder of the match.
QUESTION: How might the enforcement of this new rule change the way players communicate on the field?
Why are World Cup refs giving red cards to players covering their mouths when confronting opponents?
