FIFA has enforced its controversial Prestianni Law for the first time at the 2026 World Cup. Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almirón received a straight red card after covering his mouth during an on-pitch confrontation.
The regulation permits officials to issue immediate dismissals when players obscure their mouths during disputes. The rule presumes the gesture hides discriminatory or abusive language from cameras and lip-readers, removing the burden of proof regarding specific verbal content.
This policy originated from a February 2026 Champions League incident involving Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior. UEFA subsequently banned Prestianni for homophobic language, prompting FIFA and the International Football Association Board to formally approve the presumption of guilt framework in April 2026.
Almirón, formerly of Newcastle United and Atlanta United, is now the test case for this strict liability standard. However, emerging reports suggest a potential VAR error may have complicated the dismissal, raising questions about whether the red card resulted directly from the mouth-covering rule or a separate simulation offense.