UEFA opts against red cards for players covering mouths in club competitions

UEFA players will not be automatically sent off for covering their mouths while speaking to opponents in next season’s European club competitions. The action may still be punished with a yellow card if referees judge it to be an attempt to conceal unsporting communication.

The decision means the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League will not follow the stricter World Cup approach backed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, under which mouth covering while addressing a rival can lead to a straight red card.

The issue has become more prominent after several high-profile cases, including World Cup dismissals involving Miguel Almirón and Piero Hincapié. UEFA also dealt with a related Champions League incident involving Gianluca Prestianni and Vinícius Júnior, after which Prestianni was sanctioned for anti-gay conduct following an investigation.

UEFA’s position leaves room for later disciplinary action even if the immediate on-field punishment is only a booking. The governing body has also decided not to use a red-card option for players leaving the pitch in protest, while it will adopt VAR checks for incorrect corner decisions.