FIFA has announced that players who cover their mouths during confrontations with opponents at the upcoming World Cup could face a red card as part of new measures aimed at tackling racism in football.

The decision was confirmed on Tuesday after a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Vancouver. According to FIFA, competition organisers will have the authority to send off any player who hides their mouth while involved in a heated exchange with an opponent.

The rule change comes months after Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica was accused of racially abusing Vinicius Junior during a UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid in February. Prestianni allegedly insulted the Brazilian star while covering his mouth, though he denied the accusation. He was later handed a six-match suspension for homophobic conduct.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino previously defended the proposed rule, arguing that players who hide their mouths during such exchanges create suspicion that inappropriate comments are being made.

In another major law change, FIFA also confirmed that players who leave the pitch in protest against a referee’s decision could also receive a red card. The same punishment may apply to team officials who encourage players to walk off the field. FIFA further stated that any team responsible for abandoning a match would automatically forfeit the game.

The new measure follows controversy at the recent Africa Cup of Nations final, where Senegal national football team players and officials walked off the pitch after a penalty was awarded to Morocco national football team. Although Senegal initially won the match after extra time, they were later stripped of the title by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The law changes were announced ahead of Thursday’s FIFA Congress in Vancouver, the final major gathering before the World Cup kicks off in Canada, Mexico, and the United States this June.