New Regulation Targets Covert Communication in Football
A new regulation, implemented for the 2026 World Cup, has brought attention to players covering their mouths while speaking on the pitch. This rule permits a player to be dismissed if they intentionally conceal their mouth during a confrontational interaction with an opponent.
The Rationale Behind the Rule
FIFA President Gianni Infantino advocated for this rule change following an incident in February where Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni received a six-match ban from UEFA for alleged homophobic remarks directed at Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr during a Champions League match. The intention behind the new rule is to ensure transparency and discourage potentially abusive or unsporting conduct that might be hidden by players covering their mouths.
Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's head of referees, clarified the nuances of the rule. He stated that covering one's mouth during friendly conversations, whether before, during, or after a match, is still permissible. However, when the conversation becomes confrontational, covering the mouth is interpreted as an attempt to conceal something potentially inappropriate, which can then result in a red card.
"When the conversation is confrontational, covering the mouth means that you are doing something very wrong, potentially, and the sanction is the red card."
Distinguishing Between Incidents: Bellingham vs. Almiron
The application of this rule gained prominence when Paraguay's Miguel Almiron was sent off against Turkey, becoming the first player to receive a red card under the new regulation after VAR intervention. Conversely, England's Jude Bellingham was not penalized for covering his mouth while speaking with Ghana's Jordan Ayew during a recent match, sparking debate.
The key distinction lies in the context of the interaction. In the Bellingham-Ayew exchange, there was no apparent animosity; it was perceived as a casual chat between players. In contrast, Almiron's incident occurred during a heated moment in the match, amidst a melee between players, even though Almiron himself was not directly involved in the physical altercation. The overall confrontational atmosphere of the game was a crucial factor in the referee's decision.
FIFA President Infantino emphasized the rule's importance, stating, "It's about respect. It's about the example that we should give. If you have nothing to hide, you don't cover your mouth when you speak to somebody."
Challenges and Future Adoption
Despite its clear intent, the new rule has raised questions regarding its consistency and potential for misuse. There is concern that players could exploit the rule to provoke an opponent's dismissal, as seen in the Almiron incident where the opposing player immediately drew attention to Almiron covering his mouth. Almiron received a one-match ban, which could have been extended if abusive language was proven.
Currently, this rule is an 'opt-in' regulation, meaning competitions can choose whether to implement it. As of now, it is exclusively being used at the World Cup. The challenges in maintaining consistent application and the risk of exploitation might deter domestic leagues from widely adopting this new law.
Source: Why Bellingham was not sent off for covering his mouth