In a move that could fundamentally alter football's disciplinary code, FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated on Sunday that players who deliberately cover their mouths during verbal altercations should be immediately sent off. These strong remarks came in response to the controversial incident involving Argentine player Gianluca Brestiani, who plays for Benfica in Portugal and is accused of racially abusing Brazilian star Vinicius Junior, the Real Madrid winger.

Details of the incident and Infantino's statements

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Infantino clarified his firm stance, saying: "If a player covers his mouth and says something with racist connotations, then of course he should be sent off. It should be assumed that he said something he shouldn't have said, otherwise he wouldn't have needed to cover his mouth." The Italian-Swiss official added, emphasizing the need for action: "These are measures we can and must take to show that we are taking the fight against racism in stadiums absolutely seriously.".

These statements stem from the first leg of the Champions League playoff between Benfica and Real Madrid in Lisbon, where the match was halted for approximately ten minutes after Vinicius complained of being called a "monkey" by Bresciani. Despite the Argentine player denying the accusations on his Instagram account, UEFA decided to suspend him pending the outcome of the investigation.

Broader context: Vinicius and FIFA's battle against racism

Infantino's statements cannot be separated from the current context of world football, where Vinicius Junior has become a global icon in the fight against racism after enduring a series of abuses in Spanish and European stadiums. FIFA, through these proposals, seeks to close loopholes exploited by some players to escape punishment, as covering the mouth prevents cameras and lip readers from recording insults, thus hindering the process of proving guilt.

Infantino stressed the need to change the prevailing culture, saying: "We have to act firmly and in a deterrent manner. Perhaps we should think not only about penalties, but also about changing our culture and giving players a chance to apologize. A person may do things they regret under the influence of anger, then apologize, and then the punishment should be different.".

Reactions and future consequences

For his part, Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho, coach of Benfica, took a firm stance despite his initial defense of his player, stressing that if the facts are proven, Prestini will not play again under his supervision, reflecting the seriousness of the situation and its impact on the future of the player, who faces a penalty that could reach a suspension of 10 matches.

This issue was raised during the International Football Association Board (IFAB) meeting on Saturday and is expected to be a key topic of discussion at the upcoming FIFA Congress next month in Vancouver. Attention is focused on the possibility of adopting new regulations prohibiting mouth coverings, particularly with the next World Cup approaching, to ensure maximum transparency and sportsmanship.

Julian Nagelsmann, the German national team coach, has announced his final decision regarding the inclusion of the prominent attacking duo, Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala, in the "Mannschaft" training camp scheduled for next March. This decision ends the speculation surrounding the players' fitness and their ability to participate in upcoming international matches.

In an interview with the German newspaper Kicker on Sunday evening, Nagelsmann confirmed that the duo would be officially included in the national team squad for the March international break, following a long absence due to injuries and physical limitations that kept them out of international duty. The young coach explained the importance of their return, saying: "It's natural and necessary for them to come back at this time. It's been a very long time since they last played for the national team; I haven't seen Musiala with us for over 10 months, and Kai Havertz's absence has been even longer.".

The 38-year-old coach concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the primary objective of recalling the duo now is to give them the opportunity to regain their rhythm and cohesion within the national team's tactical system before upcoming major competitions. The return of Bayern Munich star Musiala and Arsenal playmaker Havertz represents a significant morale and tactical boost for the German national team, given their individual brilliance and ability to make a difference in the attacking third – qualities the team has lacked during previous periods of absence.

This return takes on added significance in the context of the German national team's preparations for the 2026 World Cup finals. Nagelsmann aims to use the upcoming training camp to solidify the starting lineup and create the necessary harmony between experienced players and promising youngsters. The German team is scheduled to play two high-profile friendlies during the March international break, facing the physically strong Ghanaian side and the tactically organized Swiss team. These matches will be true tests to gauge the team's readiness and the extent to which the coach's ideas are being implemented on the pitch.

The German public is counting heavily on the national team being completed with the return of its injured stars, as this camp represents a pivotal step in the roadmap to the World Cup, and an attempt to restore the prestige of German football on the world stage after the challenges it faced in recent tournaments.

All eyes in Saudi football, particularly those in the Eastern Province, are on Al-Ettifaq's training camp, where the team's coaching staff is experiencing a state of anticipation and anxiety. National coach Saad Al-Shehri, who leads Al-Ettifaq, is eagerly awaiting the results of the detailed medical tests that French striker Moussa Dembélé underwent on Sunday evening. These tests are a crucial step in determining the player's readiness and his ability to participate in the highly anticipated and crucial match against Al-Shabab in the Saudi Professional League.

Moussa Dembélé, 29, is a key player in Al-Ettifaq's attacking lineup this season. His importance and direct impact on the team's results are evident in his 13 official appearances for the club this season, during which he scored five crucial goals and provided one assist in 1025 minutes of play. This makes him a valuable asset that the coaching staff hopes to retain in such important matches.

The Al-Ettifaq Stadium is set to host this crucial match, as they welcome Al-Shabab at 10:00 PM next Saturday, in the 25th round of the Roshan League. This game holds added importance for both teams given their positions in the standings and their desire to improve their rankings before the season concludes.

Considering the two teams' positions in the league table before kickoff, Al-Ettifaq enters the match in seventh place with 38 points, hoping to capitalize on home advantage and secure three points to move closer to the top four or at least improve their comfortable mid-table position. Meanwhile, Al-Shabab is experiencing an exceptionally difficult season, currently sitting in thirteenth place with 25 points, a position unbecoming of the club's illustrious history. This makes the match a crucial cup final for Al-Shabab, who are desperately seeking to escape the relegation zone and regain their footing in the league.

Matches between Al-Ettifaq and Al-Shabab always carry a special significance, characterized by intense rivalry and historical excitement in Saudi football, with each side striving to assert its dominance. Under the guidance of Saad Al-Shehri, Al-Ettifaq aims to deliver a disciplined tactical performance. However, the potential absence of Dembele may force the coach to seek alternative attacking solutions to compensate for the French striker's potent attacking force, especially against a resolute Al-Shabab defense determined to secure a positive result.