One of the key innovations is the ban on covering the mouth during on-field communication, which could be punished with a direct red card in the future. This measure, known as the “Vinicius Law”, was introduced to prevent hidden insults and potential racist or inappropriate comments.
The reason for its introduction was an incident in the Champions League, when the alleged insults of Benfica player Gianluca Prestiani to Vinicius could not be proven precisely because of the concealment of lip movements. FIFA believes that such rules will contribute to greater player responsibility and clearer communication on the pitch.
Another important change concerns protest behavior, so any player who arbitrarily leaves the field due to disagreement with a referee's decision could also be sent off. This is intended to put an end to mass protests and scenes that tarnish the reputation of the game.
The new rules are set to come into effect at the upcoming World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, and are expected to further increase discipline and reduce controversies on the biggest football stage.
