Source:REUTERS/Michelle Freyria
[Saba Sports News] According to Spanish media reports, the IFAB and FIFA will ban players from covering their mouths while talking to opponents, and the rule will be officially implemented ahead of the World Cup. Reports state that the incident involving Gianluca Prestianni and Vinicius Junior drew FIFA’s attention. At today’s meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), all parties unanimously agreed to prohibit players from covering their mouths and noses with their jerseys or any other objects, including their hands, while speaking to opponents. The rule is set to be approved before this summer’s World Cup. Adjustments to related regulations will of course be needed to establish effective disciplinary measures and ensure such behavior no longer occurs during matches. The initial measure under discussion is to start with a yellow card as the basic punishment. FIFA is determined to prevent a repeat of the incident that took place in the Lisbon match.
The editor believes that this is yet another signal that FIFA’s years-long campaign against racism and all forms of discrimination is being taken extremely seriously.There is no place for racism in football.