Liverpool stars bracing themselves at World Cup as FIFA makes radical change
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesLiverpool FCFIFA is set to announce two radical red card rule changes for the World Cup, with players reportedly facing dismissal for covering their mouths or leaving the pitch in protest at refereeing decisionsVirgil van Dijk is set to play at this year's World Cup(Image: Getty Images)Players who cover their mouths while confronting opponents at the World Cup will face dismissal, according to imminent confirmation from FIFA.The ruling forms part of sweeping reforms to red card regulations ahead of this summer's tournament across the United States, Mexico and Canada. These changes will affect some Liverpool players, with Virgil van Dijk, Alexander Isak, Alexis Mac Allister and many other Reds expected to feature at the tournament.The Times reports that FIFA president Gianni Infantino is expected to announce the modification at the governing body's congress in Vancouver on Thursday.
The alteration will apparently remain exclusive to the World Cup, as implementation elsewhere would require approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to become part of the Laws of the Game.READ MORE: Harry Kane makes Champions League history and overtakes Liverpool legendREAD MORE: Luis Diaz makes instant impact for Bayern Munich with Champions League final at stakeThe development follows controversy surrounding Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni, who faced accusations of racially abusing Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. earlier this season.The Argentine pulled his shirt over his mouth, a gesture that drew strong condemnation from Infantino at the time.He said: "If a player covers his mouth and says something, and this has a racist consequence, then he has to be sent off, obviously.Gianluca Prestianni made alleged comments toward Vinicius Jr. while covering his mouth(Image: Getty Images)"There must be a presumption that he has said something he shouldn't have said, otherwise he wouldn't have had to cover his mouth."Prestianni denied the accusations that he had been racist and instead claimed that he had said a homophobic slur.An investigation followed, with Prestianni receiving a six-match suspension after being charged with using homophobic language.A statement from Benfica read: "Sport Lisboa e Benfica announces that it has been notified by UEFA of the sanction imposed on the player Prestianni for using anti-gay language during the Benfica v Real Madrid match."The player Prestianni has been handed a six-match ban, three of which are suspended for two years."Of the three-match effective ban, one has already been served and the remaining two must be served in UEFA matches or Argentina national team matches in a FIFA context."FIFA is also taking a firm stance on players who abandon the pitch in protest of officiating decisions, with any individuals who leave the field of play set to face immediate dismissal.The ruling comes in the wake of contentious scenes at the African Cup of Nations, where Senegal vacated the pitch for several minutes following a disputed penalty awarded to Morocco.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCFIFAVirgil Van DijkRyan GravenberchAlexander IsakAlexis Mac AllisterAlissonIbrahima Konaté