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HUGE Rule Changes Coming to World Football; Do You Like Them?
๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Sports

HUGE Rule Changes Coming to World Football; Do You Like Them?

From Veฤernji List · (6m ago) Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved two significant rule changes set to take effect on June 1, impacting all FIFA-sanctioned competitions, including the 2026 World Cup.
  • The first change, dubbed the 'Vinicius Law,' allows referees to issue a direct red card to any player who covers their mouth while confronting an opponent, a response to an incident involving Vinicius Junior.
  • The second rule mandates a direct red card for players, coaches, or staff who leave the field in protest of a referee's decision, with teams potentially forfeiting matches if the entire squad disrupts play.

From Zagreb, Veฤernji List reports on substantial rule changes coming to football, approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and set to be implemented from June 1st. These changes will be binding for all competitions under FIFA's jurisdiction, including the upcoming 2026 World Cup hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

The most talked-about alteration is the 'Vinicius Law,' which introduces a direct red card offense for players who cover their mouths during confrontations with opponents. This rule is a direct reaction to an incident where Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior accused Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni of racist remarks, with Prestianni covering his mouth while speaking. FIFA President Gianni Infantino strongly supported this measure, viewing the act of covering one's mouth as an attempt to conceal words, thereby justifying a severe sanction.

At the decision of the competition organizer, the referee can sanction with a red card any player who covers their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent.

โ€” IFABThe official wording of the new 'Vinicius Law' regarding covering the mouth during confrontations.

Another significant change addresses player and staff conduct when disagreeing with referee decisions. Leaving the field of play in protest will now automatically result in a direct red card. This rule aims to prevent disruptions similar to the one seen in the Africa Cup of Nations final, where Senegal's players walked off the pitch, causing a lengthy delay. Furthermore, if an entire team causes a match interruption, the game could be forfeited with a 3-0 loss.

These changes, confirmed at an emergency meeting in Vancouver, also expand the powers of the VAR system. Future reviews will include situations involving second yellow cards and corner kick decisions, intended to enhance officiating transparency. While these rules are mandatory for FIFA competitions, individual leagues, including the Premier League, will decide on their adoption later. The article frames these changes as potentially dramatic shifts in the game's regulation, reflecting a desire to curb unsportsmanlike conduct and ensure smoother, more decisive officiating.

Such an act now automatically entails a direct red card, and the rule applies to players, coaches, and members of the technical staff.

โ€” Veฤernji ListExplanation of the new rule regarding leaving the field in protest.
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Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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