Uefa announced on Thursday that it will not penalize players with a red card for covering their mouths during on-field confrontations. This decision applies to all Uefa-sanctioned events, including the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.
The rule was initially proposed by Fifa president Gianni Infantino and approved by the International Football Association Board in April to act as a deterrent. Despite high-profile incidents, such as the case involving Gianluca Prestianni, who faced disciplinary action for homophobic conduct, Uefa maintains that officials should evaluate such situations on a case-by-case basis. Instead of an automatic dismissal, referees may opt for a yellow card if they deem the behavior unsporting.
Concerns regarding the rule often cite the potential for false accusations and the presumption of guilt. Uefa has similarly chosen not to adopt the rule regarding players leaving the field in protest of official decisions, though it will continue to utilize VAR for specific technical reviews.
