The football world has been shaken by allegations that Gianluca Prestianni directed a racist insult at Vinícius Júnior while covering his mouth during a recent match. Whether the Benfica player actually used the word “monkey” remains unproven, but the controversy has reignited the debate over how to combat racist abuse on the pitch.

In response, FIFA and International Football Association Board (IFAB) are discussing a potential rule change that would result in an automatic red card for any player who covers their mouth while delivering a racist insult. The proposal has already been informally dubbed the “Vinicius Law.”

The topic was reportedly addressed during IFAB’s latest meeting on possible amendments to the Laws of the Game. The aim would be to fast-track the regulation so it could even come into effect before the next World Cup.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed the discussions in an interview with Sky News. “If a player says something racist while covering his mouth, he should be sent off,” Infantino stated firmly. “These are the actions we can and must take to be serious about our fight.”

The issue extends beyond the Benfica–Real Madrid match. This past weekend, another alleged racist incident involved Rafa Mir and Omar El Hilali during the Elche–Espanyol fixture, further highlighting the urgency felt by football authorities.

FIFA and IFAB are now accelerating internal discussions to determine whether the proposed measure can be approved before the World Cup. According to Infantino, the change was suggested before the end of April to allow time for implementation.

“If you have nothing to hide, don’t cover your mouth when you say it. That’s all. We can’t do anything more about it, except what we’re already doing,” the FIFA president concluded.

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