UEFA disciplinary action: No red cards for players wearing face coverings in Champions League

Players who cover their faces in clashes with opponents will not be shown red cards in UEFA competitions, it was confirmed on Thursday.

European football’s governing body will not accept the option to use the law in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.

The issue of players covering their faces became high profile in February when Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni lifted his shirt while talking to Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior during a Champions League game.

The Argentina international was accused of racist abuse and provisionally banned for one match. Prestianni was after a UEFA investigation Convicted of homophobic behaviour And banned for six matches – three of which were suspended.

The law change for a red card was the brainchild of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who wanted it Something that will have a “preventive effect”. In the World Cup.

it was Approved by the International Football Association Board (Ifab). In April

was Miguel Almiron of Paraguay The first player to be sent off In his team’s World Cup group game against Turkey. Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie Then I saw red Ecuador exited co-hosts Mexico in the last 16.

Both players were dismissed following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.

Despite Prestiani’s incident in its flagship competition, UEFA decided against using Infantino’s opt-in.

UEFA said referees should assess the situation individually and consider whether to show a yellow card if it was an “attempt to conceal contact as unsporting behaviour”.

It added: “This is expressly without prejudice to any disciplinary inquiry or proceeding that may result from or in connection with such conduct.”

The law change has been controversial because it introduces a presumption of guilt rather than innocence.

There is concern that it could be used to send off an opponent when nothing insulting has been said.

It also caused confusion with England’s Jude Bellingham Do not say goodbye when covering his face A conversation with Ghana’s Jordan Ayew in their group game.

UEFA, however, will use the option of VAR to check wrong corners have been overturned from 22 goal-kicks so far at the World Cup.

But it will not issue red cards to players who leave the field in protest at a referee’s decision – another law brought at the discretion of a competition organiser.