The "Prestianni Law": FIFA Considers Banning Players from Covering Their Mouths After Vini Jr. Scandal
This proposal is being considered following the controversial fallout from the Benfica vs. Real Madrid match involving the Argentine youngst
What happened during the Real Madrid vs. Benfica clash has officially transcended the pitch. What should have been a standard post-match analysis of a Champions League fixture has mutated into a global debate that has reached the highest echelons of international football. Today, the "Vinícius-Prestianni case" threatens to trigger a revolutionary change in the Laws of the Game.
The controversy centers on the Brazilian star’s report of racial abuse. However, the technical difficulty in proving these allegations has given birth to a proposed regulation already being dubbed by some circles as the “Prestianni Law.” This initiative seeks to penalize players who cover their mouths to hide their words, a tactic often used to hurl insults without being caught by cameras or lip-readers.
Zürich is Watching: FIFA’s Transparency Plan
According to sources close to FIFA, the governing body is already studying a specific norm to address this behavior. The core idea is simple but controversial: preventing players from using their hands or jerseys as a "shield" against cameras and disciplinary officials.
By blocking the view of their lips, players create a "black hole" in the disciplinary process. FIFA’s goal is to improve transparency and close a loophole that has been exploited for decades to get away with unsportsmanlike conduct. This potential reform is already splitting opinions across the football world:
- Proponents argue it will clean up the game and make players accountable for their words.
- Critics suggest it’s an overreach that ignores the natural intensity and privacy of players in the heat of battle.
The "Infantino Order"
The initiative reportedly gained momentum following a firm directive from FIFA President Gianni Infantino. He has requested a comprehensive analysis of the incidents in the Madrid-Benfica match. The leadership in Zürich understands that football must evolve alongside technology.
If high-definition cameras and VAR are part of the game’s decision-making process, then players shouldn't be allowed to intentionally obstruct that technology to hide abuse. The message is clear: disciplinary control must adapt as fast as the game itself.
A New Era of Discipline?
Regardless of whether Gianluca Prestianni is eventually found responsible for the alleged slurs, the fact that such a rule is even being discussed indicates a paradigm shift. European football circles are already asking if we are witnessing the dawn of a new era of "total surveillance" on the pitch.
For now, the ball remains in the court of the governing bodies. They will decide if this proposal becomes an official law or remains a mere warning. However, the movement has already achieved a minor victory: it has placed a "microscope" on a practice that was once considered an untouchable part of football's "unwritten code."
