“If a player covers his mouth and says something that has racist implications, he has to be sent off. If you have nothing to hide, you don’t cover your mouth when you speak,” Infantino told Sky News.
His statement comes after an incident in the Champions League when Benfica’s Gianluca Prestiani lifted his shirt over his mouth while speaking to Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian reported him to the referee for an alleged racist insult, and UEFA temporarily suspended him for one match. Prestiani has denied the allegations, and a final decision will be made after an investigation.
The issue was also discussed at the IFAB annual meeting in Wales, where it was agreed to consider changing the rules to prevent concealment of statements on the pitch. If an agreement is reached, the new rule could be adopted at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver on April 30, ahead of the World Cup.
(Vijesti.ba)
