FIFA discusses ‘Vinicius Law’ idea with players who cover mouth facing sanctions

FIFA is committed to having measures in place for this summer’s World Cup that could help to prevent a repeat of the Vinicius Junior racism scandal.

Players who cover their mouths when talking to opponents could face sanctions at this summer’s finals, after FIFA brought the idea to the table for discussion at Saturday’s International Football Association Board (IFAB) meeting.

Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni is alleged to have racially abused Real Madrid star Vinicius during a Champions League match, something he strenuously denies.

UEFA is investigating but reaching a conclusion will be made more difficult by the fact that Prestianni was covering his mouth with his shirt when he appeared to say something to the Brazilian.

Now, whatever is said when the mouth is covered, a player could be sanctioned on the field.

FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom said on Saturday: “These are important topics that we want to address.

“We want to continue the discussion and potentially also come with measures even before the World Cup.”

He said the FIFA Congress in Vancouver in April would provide an ideal forum for further discussion to “come up with measures that are balanced”.

“The fight against discrimination is a priority for FIFA as an institution,” he added.

Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham, a director of the IFAB, added: “We need to consult with the game more broadly and work out where we could avoid any unforeseen circumstances.

“You can see, when a player is talking to an opponent the other team, there are very few circumstances where they should need, when they’re confronting them, to cover their mouth.

“But we need to look at everything and make sure if we would bring in a rule change or a penalty for that, that we’re not going to create further problems.”