The Vinicius Effect.. The European Union violates FIFA’s wishes

The European Football Association (UEFA) has decided to go in the opposite direction to the International Federation regarding some changes related to the new arbitration laws set by FIFA.

As the Guardian newspaper writes, UEFA has decided not to follow FIFA’s approach of applying automatic red cards to players who cover their mouths when confronted by an opponent or leave the pitch in protest against a referee’s decision.

Football’s governing body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), approved the regulations last month at FIFA’s request, and they will come into force on June 1, with match officials tasked with enforcing them at the 2026 World Cup.

But UEFA’s decision means it will not apply to the men’s and women’s Champions League or its other club competitions.

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The case of Benfica’s Gianluca Pristiani racially abusing Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior after he covered his mouth with a t-shirt while insulting the Brazilian player in a Champions League match in February, and then FIFA insisted that the matter should not be repeated at the next World Cup.

The Argentine was handed a six-match ban, three of which was suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to homophobic behaviour.

The FIFA Council has not implemented the rule changes in all competitions. UEFA’s executive committee will meet for the last time this season on Wednesday in Istanbul, and it appears no regulation changes are on the agenda.

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UEFA’s club competition committee will sign off on the regulations for next season’s men’s and women’s tournaments in Leipzig after an executive committee meeting, with no major changes expected, The Guardian reports.

UEFA sources said its refereeing committee will monitor the impact of the new regulations during the World Cup to discuss possible changes next season.

Local patrols have discretion whether or not to enforce these regulations. The English Premier League will confirm its plans for next season after the clubs’ annual general meeting next month.

As only FIFA has committed to enforcing the rules at this stage, they are unlikely to be adopted.

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