FIFA exploring ‘Vinicius Law’ idea to punish players who cover their mouth

Players could be sanctioned in the future for covering their mouth when talking to opponents, the Press Association understands.

Gianluca Prestianni is under investigation for alleged racial abuse towards Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior in a Champions League match last week.

What he said to Vinicius is disputed, with Prestianni vehemently denying using racist language. The Argentinian’s mouth was covered when he appeared to say something to Vinicius.

FIFA is understood to be keen to explore ways to tackle the issue, and is understood to have raised the idea of introducing a deterrent to such behaviour at a technical meeting on Friday ahead of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) annual general meeting in Wales on Saturday.

One insider referred to it as “Vinicius’ Law” and the British associations – who make up the IFAB alongside FIFA – were understood to be receptive to the idea, although as it is so early in discussions the practicalities of enforcing it would need careful consideration.

This is understood to be just the start of the discussion however, and it is not expected any formal proposal to tackle the issue will be brought forward immediately.

FIFA is also believed to have raised increasing the penalty for players walking off the pitch from a yellow to a red card in the wake of the chaos at the end of the Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco.

FIFA has been approached for comment.

Vinicius was allegedly abused during Real Madrid’s win over Benfica in Lisbon on February 17.

The 25-year-old left the field after reporting a member of the Benfica team – whom the Spanish side later claimed to have been Prestianni – to referee Francois Letexier.

The match was paused in line with UEFA regulations, resulting in a stoppage in
play lasting 10 minutes, with Vinicius going on to play the full game in
Real’s 1-0 win.

It came after the Brazilian forward had given his team the lead with a wonderful individual strike five minutes into the second half.

After celebrating in front of the home fans, the 25-year-old became visibly upset about something said to him and immediately informed Letexier.

After the game, Vinicius posted in Portuguese on his Instagram story: “Racists
are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to
demonstrate how weak they are.”

He started for Real in Wednesday’s return and had the final word as the Spanish giants reached the last 16, with a cool 80th-minute finish securing a 2-1 win on the night and 3-1 aggregate success.

UEFA had imposed a provisional sanction on Prestianni on Monday, ruling him out of the tie, although the winger had travelled to Madrid as part of the Benfica squad.

The Portuguese club had appealed against the decision to ban Prestianni, but UEFA dismissed the case on Wednesday afternoon.