Red cards can be given to players who cover their mouths while confronting opponents

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved a new rule allowing referees to issue red cards to players who cover their mouths while confronting opponents, set to take effect at this summer's World Cup. The rule stems from a controversy involving a UEFA Champions League incident in February and represents an effort to maintain transparency in player communications during confrontations. The reporting is sourced through the Associated Press and published by NPR, a major national outlet, with corroboration from NBC News, BBC Sport, and other established outlets that all confirm the rule's approval and the February incident as catalyst. The article provides the core facts but lacks depth on the rule's rationale beyond mouth-covering prevention—readers should monitor how strictly this discretionary rule is enforced during World Cup matches and whether it generates controversy over what constitutes a 'confrontational situation.'