Football Bans Mouth-Covering to Fight Racism on Field

Football just took a major stand against racism by making hate harder to hide on the field.

The International Football Association Board approved a new rule during their annual meeting in Wales that prohibits players from covering their mouths with hands, shirts, or objects while speaking to opponents during matches. The measure, already being called the "Vinicius Law" after Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior who has faced repeated racist incidents, will take effect before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The rule aims to prevent players from concealing abusive or discriminatory language during on-field exchanges. When officials spot someone breaking the rule, they'll likely issue a yellow card, though final details are still being worked out.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino pushed for the change after growing concerns about racist incidents in recent years. Vinícius Júnior has become a central figure in football's fight against racism, repeatedly speaking out about the abuse he's experienced while playing in Spain's La Liga.

The meeting in Hensol, Wales didn't stop with anti-racism measures. Referees will now use a visible five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal kicks that take too long, with possession switching to the opposing team if players don't comply.

New injury and substitution rules aim to stop teams from gaming the system. Substituted players must leave the field within 10 seconds, and injured players receiving treatment must stay off the pitch for one minute after play resumes.

The Ripple Effect

These changes represent football's biggest effort yet to clean up the game at every level. By removing hiding spots for racist language, officials send a clear message that discrimination has no place in sport.

The expanded VAR technology will now catch more mistakes too, reviewing erroneous second yellow cards and cases of mistaken identity. Referees can even correct clear corner-kick or goal-kick errors immediately without disrupting the match flow.

Football's 4 billion global fans will see a game that's faster, fairer, and more welcoming when these rules roll out before the next World Cup.