"Prestianni Law" applied for the first time as Miguel Almiron sees a red card in the World Cup
Any player who covers their lips during a conflict with an opponent may be given a straight red card by match officials under the suspicion that the action is being intended to conceal offensive or discriminatory remarks from cameras and lip readers.
XtraTime Newsdesk: At the 2026 World Cup, FIFA's contentious new rule—known colloquially as the Prestianni Law—was implemented for the first time. Miguel Almirón of Paraguay was given a straight red card for covering his mouth during a fight on the pitch.
Any player who covers their lips during a conflict with an opponent may be given a straight red card by match officials under the suspicion that the action is being intended to conceal offensive or discriminatory remarks from cameras and lip readers.
The rule began with a Champions League game between Real Madrid and Benfica in February 2026. Gianluca Prestianni, an Argentine attacker, was accused of using derogatory words against Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid during the match while purposefully concealing his lips to evade detection. After concluding that the language used was homophobic, UEFA banned Prestianni for six games, three of which were suspended.
In late April 2026, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and FIFA formally ratified the new regulation. Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, has been outspoken in his support of what he refers to as a "presumption of guilt" framework, which states that the referee does not have to provide evidence if you cover your mouth during a dispute. The act of covering itself becomes the offense.
Almirón, the former Newcastle United and Atlanta United midfielder, became the first player to be dismissed under the new regulation during a World Cup match. The Paraguayan was shown a straight red card after covering his mouth while engaged in a verbal exchange with an opponent.
Some reports have suggested the Almirón situation may have been complicated by a VAR error, with the incident potentially involving a yellow card for simulation rather than a direct application of the new mouth-covering rule. The distinction matters significantly for how this regulation is perceived going forward.
(Photo Courtesy: Fifa)
