Key Takeaways:
- IFAB unanimously passed the ‘Vinicius law’ on Tuesday night, introducing red cards for players caught covering their mouths in confrontations
- The rule follows the alleged racist abuse directed towards Vinicius Junior during Real Madrid’s Champions League fixture against Benfica in Lisbon this February
- Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni received a six-game ban from UEFA after admitting to homophobic, but not racist, abuse towards Vinicius
Background and Origins of the ‘Vinicius Law’
On Tuesday evening, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which is responsible for football’s rules and officiating, unanimously confirmed the adoption of the so-called ‘Vinicius law’. The regulation comes in the aftermath of an incident during Real Madrid’s Champions League match against Benfica in Lisbon this February, where Vinicius Junior was allegedly subjected to racist remarks from Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni. Although Real Madrid triumphed 3-1 in that tie, the abuse cast a shadow over the fixture and the wider competition.
The IFAB unanimously approves red card for players covering their mouths to conceal discriminatory behaviour ➡️https://t.co/EEQubmcCVA pic.twitter.com/2MJo2muTvr
— The IFAB (@TheIFAB) April 28, 2026
Prestianni was accused of racially abusing Vinicius, with accusations corroborated by Kylian Mbappé. However, UEFA struggled to gather sufficient evidence due to Prestianni covering his mouth while making the alleged comments. As a result, there was no on-field punishment, though Prestianni initially received a one-game suspension for the second leg.
Key Provisions of the New IFAB Ruling
The IFAB’s new regulation stipulates that any player caught covering their mouth during a confrontation with an opponent may now be issued a red card. This decision addresses ongoing concerns about the difficulty in retroactively verifying verbal abuse incidents, particularly when players use mouth-covering to obscure their actions.
Additionally, in response to recent events such as those witnessed at the AFCON final, a new law states that any player who leaves the pitch in protest at a referee’s decision will also be liable to receive a red card. These rules are set to be enforced starting with the 2026 World Cup this summer.
| Incident | Sanction | Applies From |
|---|---|---|
| Covering mouth during confrontation | Red Card | 2026 World Cup |
| Leaving pitch in protest at refereeing | Red Card | 2026 World Cup |
UEFA’s Disciplinary Action Against Prestianni
Separate to the original accusations, Prestianni admitted to UEFA that he had directed homophobic abuse at Vinicius, not racist abuse as previously alleged. Consequently, UEFA imposed a six-match suspension, which will exclude Prestianni from most of Benfica’s involvement in next season’s European competitions should they qualify.
Due to persistent difficulties in establishing evidence, UEFA requested FIFA’s involvement with the aim of extending the ban to international fixtures. Should FIFA choose to comply, Prestianni would stand to miss the upcoming World Cup with Argentina, though he has not featured in their recent squads.
