You may believe it, but you cannot prove it. No one except the two players involved will ever know exactly whether Prestianni directed racist insults toward Vinicius, as the Real Madrid CF star claimed, or homophobic remarks, as the SL Benfica youngster later suggested in his controversial explanation.

What is undeniable, however, is that the Argentine winger covered his mouth with his shirt while speaking to the Brazilian — a gesture that has become increasingly common in football whenever players want to hide conversations from cameras, lip readers, or rivals. Covering the mouth has long symbolized secrecy on the pitch, often implying that what is being said is far from harmless.

Based on that principle, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the organization responsible for football’s laws, approved a new regulation during its latest General Assembly held three weeks ago. The rule aims to prevent situations similar to the Prestianni case — for which the player received a six-match suspension.

As part of a trial during the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, any player who covers his mouth while addressing an opponent will be immediately sent off. No warnings, no hesitation.

The measure has naturally generated controversy. During a FIFA Council meeting in Vancouver on March 28, several confederations raised concerns. Critics argued that players sometimes cover their mouths simply to avoid revealing tactics or to prevent private comments from being broadcast on television. Others questioned whether the rule could violate freedom of expression. Legal experts, however, believe the regulation can be justified within sport’s disciplinary framework. Alberto Cabello Massegosa, managing partner of AC&VM Abogados and president of the Spanish Confederation of Young Lawyers, explained that the rule punishes the gesture itself rather than the specific content of what is said.

“From a legal point of view, this is a disciplinary sporting measure that can, in principle, be constitutional because sport has its own regulatory framework,” he explained.

According to Cabello, the rule does not directly violate the presumption of innocence because it does notpunish alleged insults or discriminatory comments. Instead, it sanctions a clearly defined action: covering the mouth while communicating with an opponent.

Ironically, the rule has become popularly known as the “Vinicius Law,” even though it was Prestianni’s gesture — not Vinicius’ behavior — that inspired the regulation. The Brazilian forward is actually known as one of football’s most expressive and emotional players, often openly arguing with opponents without attempting to hide from cameras.

Programs such as El Día Después helped shape this culture decades ago. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the iconic Spanish TV show became famous for capturing raw on-field conversations between players, coaches, and referees.

Legendary moments included referee Mejuto González shouting “Rafa, don’t mess with me,” Fernando Hierro complaining to officials, and coach Carlos Bilardo’s infamous “Step on the enemy” quote. At the time, players spoke freely without shielding their lips.

Over time, however, footballers adapted. As television cameras improved and lip-reading became more common, players increasingly began hiding conversations with their hands or shirts.

Former “El Día Después” journalist José Larraza recalled how the evolution happened gradually.

“When we started, nobody covered their mouths. But once players realized cameras were catching everything, they began protecting themselves little by little,” he explained.

The practice exploded during the Galácticos era at Real Madrid CF. According to former club insiders, then-communications director Antonio García Ferreras encouraged players such as Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo Nazário to cover their mouths while speaking on the field to avoid lip readers and media scrutiny.

What once started as a television curiosity has now evolved into one of football’s most controversial new regulations ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

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