Infantino suggests players covering mouths when addressing opponents could be sent off

"If a player covers his mouth and says something, and this has a racist consequence, then he has to be sent off, obviously. There must be a presumption that he has said something he shouldn't have said, otherwise he wouldn't have had to cover his mouth. I simply do not understand if you don't have something to hide, you don't hide your mouth when you say something."

"These are actions that we can take and we have to take in order to be serious about our fight against racism. Measures could be agreed and implemented in time for use at this summer's World Cup, with the Fifa Congress in Vancouver next month the next important staging post."

"Maybe we should also think about not just punishing, but also somehow allowing, changing our culture, allowing players or whoever does something to apologise. You can do things that you don't want to do in the heat of the moment."

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has proposed a new disciplinary measure targeting players who cover their mouths while communicating with opponents, suggesting this action should result in immediate dismissal. The proposal stems from allegations of racist abuse in football, particularly following Vinicius Junior's claims against Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni. Infantino argues that covering one's mouth while speaking indicates an attempt to hide inappropriate comments, particularly racist remarks, from cameras and officials. He contends that if players have nothing to hide, they should not conceal their mouths during communication. The measure was discussed at the International Football Association Board meeting and could be implemented before the summer World Cup. Infantino also advocates for cultural change, encouraging players to take public responsibility and apologize for misconduct rather than solely relying on punishment.

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