- Football players who cover their mouths while confronting an opponent will now be immediately sent off at this summer's World Cup.
- This new sanction was unanimously agreed upon by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Vancouver.
- The rule change was prompted by an incident involving Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, who reported racial abuse from Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni, who covered his mouth.
- Prestianni subsequently received a six-match ban for homophobic discriminatory conduct, though the racism allegation against him was not proven.
- Additionally, players who walk off the pitch in protest at refereeing decisions, and officials who incite them, will also face instant dismissal, following chaotic scenes at the Africa Cup of Nations final.
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