Infantino says players who cover mouths when speaking could be sent offGianluca Prestianni was provisionally suspended after being accused of racially abusing Vinicius JuniorLONDON - FIFA president Gianni Infantino has suggested players who cover their mouths while talking to opponents could be sent off, in light of racism allegations against Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni. Argentina's Prestianni was accused of racially abusing Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during a Champions League game last month, while covering his mouth with his shirt. "If a player covers his mouth and says something, and this has a racist consequence, then he has to be sent off, obviously," Infantino told Sky News. "There must be a presumption that he has said something he shouldn't have said, otherwise he wouldn't have had to cover his mouth. He denies racially abusing Vinicius.

Source: Bangkok Post March 02, 2026 03:25 UTC