Leandro Paredes spent the final minutes of the first half trying to get Harry Kane sent off for talking to a referee. Not for a foul, not for dissent — for covering his mouth while speaking to an official. That tells you everything about how FIFA's newest directive is already being gamed.
Kane wasn't in a confrontation with an opponent, which is the specific trigger for the rule. Referee Ismail Elfath wasn't buying it. Joe Hart, watching from the BBC studio, called Paredes "pathetic." Hard to argue.
What the rule actually says
FIFA introduced what's been dubbed the "Prestianni Law" ahead of the tournament — named after Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni, who was accused of covering his mouth while allegedly directing racially charged language at Vinícius Júnior during a Champions League match in February. FIFA president Gianni Infantino pushed the change, and the International Football Association Board unanimously approved it at a special meeting.
The rule is not mandatory under the Laws of the Game. It's a directive that tournament organizers can choose to enforce — and FIFA is enforcing it hard. If a player covers their mouth during a verbal confrontation with an opponent, the referee can show a straight red card. No warnings. No gray area.
The suspended player misses the following match. The team plays out the rest of the game with ten men.
Two red cards already issued
Miguel Almirón was the first to go. Paraguay's midfielder was sent off in a group stage match against Turkey for covering his mouth during an exchange with defender Mert Mulder. Paraguay still won 1-0, but Almirón sat out their final group game against Australia. FIFA confirmed the decision was not subject to appeal.
Ecuador's Piero Hincapié followed — red-carded in second-half stoppage time during a 2-0 loss to Mexico after an exchange with Santi Giménez. The match result wasn't affected, but the card underlined that officials aren't letting anything slide.
Two red cards. One attempted manipulation. Three matches in, and the rule is already the most-discussed officiating story of the tournament — which is exactly what happens when a regulation this blunt meets the chaos of a World Cup.
