"Any player who covers their mouth when confronting an opponent or who leaves the pitch in protest at a refereeing decision will receive an automatic red card at this summer's World Cup."
"The red card for leaving the pitch in protest comes in the wake of the controversy that marred the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations final."
"One objection that has been raised by European domestic leagues to the automatic red card for a player leaving the pitch is the possibility that it later emerges they have suffered racist abuse."
"Infantino has also called for harsher punishments for players leaving the pitch after the controversial incidents."
New regulations for the World Cup mandate automatic red cards for players who cover their mouths during confrontations or leave the pitch in protest. This decision follows controversies from previous tournaments, particularly the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations final. The International Football Association Board has left enforcement of these rules to individual competitions. Concerns have been raised regarding potential abuse cases, particularly in relation to racist incidents, which have influenced the implementation of these new protocols.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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