UEFA rejects red cards for covering mouth – yellow cards and VAR for corners approved

UEFA has officially ruled out showing direct red cards to players who cover their mouths with their hands or shirts while talking to opponents. The decision applies to next season's Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. In a statement released Thursday, Europe’s governing body clarified that referees may instead issue a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct. UEFA also stressed that this does not preclude any subsequent disciplinary investigation into what was said. The move goes against FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s policy, which introduced straight reds for the same offense at World Cups. During the recent tournament, a Paraguay player became the first to be sent off under the rule, an Ecuador player also received a red, and an England player escaped punishment in a match against Ghana. The debate was reignited in February during a Champions League match. Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni was caught on camera speaking to Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior. Vinícius accused his opponent of racist abuse, but a UEFA investigation concluded Prestianni had used homophobic language, earning him a six-game ban. Despite that high-profile incident happening in one of its own competitions, UEFA chose not to adopt FIFA’s harsh line. The organization also decided against red-carding players who theatrically leave the field in protest. However, European tournaments will follow the World Cup’s lead on another rule: VAR will now be used to check whether corner kicks should have been awarded in the first place.