28.07.2026, 16:56 Uhr
German Bundesliga players will not be send off if they cover their mouth in a confrontation with an opponent but rather only be booked.
This decision which differs from practices at the recent World Cup was confirmed by the German Football Federation (DFB) refereeing body to dpa.
At the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, Paraguay's Miguel Almirón and Piero Hincapié of Ecuador were sent off for this offence.
The tough rule was backed by FIFA president Gianni Infantini who wanted a strong deterrent after an incident in a Champions League match between Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madri star Vinícius Júnior in February.
Vinícius Júnior said he was racially abused. Prestianni admitted to a homophobic slur and was banned for six matches by continental body UEFA.
The DFB decision is in line with UEFA rules which also favour a yellow card, with disciplinary action however possible like with Prestianni.
The DFB said it would also not introduce the World Cup rule to have corner kicks checked by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Other rules will be adopted, such as countdowns at throw-ins and goal kicks to curb time-wasting, with possession changing in the case of an offence.
Slow substitutions will see the offending team play with a man less for a minute. Players who have received treatment on the pitch must wait a minute before returning, unless it concerns a collision, a head injury or the fouling player receiving a yellow or red card.
There is also a new binding rule for VARs to check second yellow cards and subsequent dismissal for players.
Source: Dpa-international.com
