The Worldwide Soccer Affiliation Board (IFAB) unanimously accepted two FIFA-proposed Regulation amendments to handle discriminatory and inappropriate behaviour at a particular assembly held in Vancouver, Canada, on Tuesday.
“These amendments might be carried out on the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, and all different competitors organisers will be capable of resolve whether or not to implement the modifications earlier than they enter into power on 1 July 2026,” Gianni Infantino stated on social media.
Firstly, on the discretion of the competitors organiser, any participant overlaying their mouth in a confrontational state of affairs with an opponent could also be sanctioned with a pink card.
The rule comes after Actual Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing him whereas overlaying his mouth throughout a Champions League match in February.
Final week, UEFA handed Prestianni a six-game ban for the verbal abuse, which it stated have been homophobic in nature.
If Prestianni is chosen for Argentina’s World Cup squad, he might have to sit down out the defending champion’s first two matches this summer time, though the ban could be appealed.
The second change pertains to stopping gamers from leaving the sector mid-game.
“On the discretion of the competitors organiser, the referee could sanction with a pink card any participant who leaves the sector of play in protest at a referee’s resolution. This new rule will even apply to any staff official who incites gamers to go away the sector of play,” the IFAB stated in a press release.
“A staff that causes a match to be deserted will, in precept, forfeit the match.”
This alteration comes after the controversial African Cup of Nations ultimate, whereby most of Senegal’s gamers and employees had walked off the sector in protest for a penalty resolution given towards them.
The play resumed after a brief break, and Senegal gained the match in further time. Nonetheless, FIFA later awarded the trophy to Morocco, punishing Senegal for the walkout.
Printed on Apr 29, 2026