G. Infantino: "If you cover your mouth while speaking, it means you might be saying something wrong."

2026-03-02 16:23 © AFP

The FIFA president Gianni Infantino commented on the situation of Vinicius and Gianluca Prestianni to the sports publication "Sky Sports."

The Swiss indicated that players who cover their mouths while speaking under their shirts should be penalized:

"If a player covers his mouth and says something that has racist implications, then he definitely should be expelled from the field."

There must be an assumption that the player said something he should not have said. Otherwise, he wouldn’t need to cover his mouth.

I just don't understand – if you have nothing to hide, don't cover your mouth. That's it, everything is that simple."

"Perhaps we should think not only about penalties but also about changing the culture, allowing players or anyone doing something to apologize.

When we are angry, we can do things we don't want and later apologize. In such cases, there should be a different sanction.

Gianluca Prestianni could miss up to ten matches in UEFA competitions due to a possible racism scandal if he is penalized with such a punishment.