What in the World - Footballers banned from covering their mouths at the World Cup

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Under new rules brought in by Fifa, footballers who cover their mouths during verbal confrontations will be sent off at this year’s World Cup. It’s hoped that these measures will help prevent abusive behaviour.

Some critics of the rule say that footballers speaking with their shirts raised or hands covering their mouths is a habit they’ve adopted to protect their privacy when they’re surrounded by cameras. But the behaviour became a high profile issue in February after an incident where Benefica’s Gianluca Prestianni raised his shirt while speaking to Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. Prestianni was later banned for six matches for homophobic conduct after an investigation into what he said.

BBC Sport reporter Sam Harris tells us how this new rule might work in practice.

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Published on Wednesday, 29th April 2026.

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