FIFA approve plans to introduce “Vinicius Junior law” before 2026 World Cup

FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB) have approved a landmark amendment that will prohibit players from covering their mouths when addressing opponents, a measure already being dubbed the “Vinicius Junior law” in reference to the recent racism controversy involving the Real Madrid forward.

The decision, ratified at Saturday’s IFAB Assembly, comes only days after the 25-year-old Brazilian was allegedly racially abused by Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni during the first leg of the clubs’ Champions League play-off tie at the Estadio da Luz. UEFA’s investigation into the incident is ongoing; Prestianni has denied uttering a slur, and Benfica have issued a similar rebuttal. With no conclusive pitch-side audio and Prestianni having obscured his mouth while speaking, neither lip-reading nor microphone evidence has so far provided definitive proof.

Under the new regulation, set to be finalised before this summer’s World Cup, any player who deliberately uses a shirt, hand or any other object to hide his mouth when communicating with an opponent will be in breach of the Laws of the Game. Referees will be expected to enforce the rule immediately, and disciplinary bodies will be able to cite the action in any subsequent misconduct proceedings.

Football’s governing bodies view the change as a direct tool to aid anti-racism enforcement. “FIFA are serious about pushing back in the fight against racism,” a source close to the discussions told Diario AS, “and this change is further proof of that.”

Real Madrid, who have continued to support Vinicius Junior throughout the affair, are understood to welcome the initiative. Prestianni, suspended provisionally by UEFA, missed Wednesday’s return leg at the Bernabeu as the European body continues to gather evidence.

Should the amendment receive final ratification in the coming months, the so-called “Vinicius law” will become mandatory across all FIFA-sanctioned competitions, offering match officials and investigators clearer lines of sight and sound when reviewing allegations of discriminatory behaviour.