The International Football Federation (FIFA) is considering a new "rule" that could emerge in football: punishing players who cover their mouths with their hands, t-shirts, or other means while insulting an opponent. The Spanish press, particularly Marca, writes that this issue could be discussed at the level of FIFA's relevant football committee.
At the heart of this idea lies a simple, but painful problem: speaking with your mouth closed is often used to "hide" insults. There are cameras and microphones in the stadium, but if a footballer closes his mouth, it becomes difficult to prove that he said something. Now FIFA is looking at options to stop this "convenient mask."
This is where it gets interesting: these discussions are said to have accelerated even more after the sensational situation in the UEFA Champions League playoffs. In the Benfica-Real Madrid (0:1) match in Lisbon, a fierce clash occurred between Benfica winger Gianluca Prestiani and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior. In the situation, it was reported that Prestianni covered his mouth with his t-shirt and said something to Vinicius, after which the game was suspended for a while.
After the game, even more serious claims arose in the social arena: reports of racial abuse against Vinicius spread. At the same time, this issue is currently a subject of investigation and debate - there is also information that the European football administration is studying the situation by UEFA.
Why is it called "Prestian's Law"?
Against the backdrop of this incident, the term "Prestian's Law" is circulating in the media: that is, a special sanction mechanism against verbal abuse. The idea of the initiative is simple:
- whispering about tactics is one thing;
- covering one's mouth to hide an insult to an opponent is another matter.
Some representatives around FIFA are saying that it is necessary to specifically stop "concealing insults."
The most important point for fans: this is not yet an officially approved rule, but a direction at the discussion stage. But the trend is clear - the pressure on racial insults, discrimination, and insults in football is increasing. If the new rules are adopted, it will be much more difficult to "get away with your mouth shut" at the stadium. And to tell the truth, it's better this way: football is for skill, not for baseness.
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