Red cards will be given to World Cup players for covering their faces when speaking to opponents during confrontations.

This decision was made at a special meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Vancouver, Canada, on Tuesday, where two FIFA-proposed law amendments were approved. 

Red Card Held Up in The Air | Source: AOL

Another rule that will be implemented is that players who leave the pitch in protest of a referee's decision will also receive a red card. IFAB has approved both options as competition opt-ins. They will be adopted at this summer's World Cup according to FIFA. 

Players covering their mouths with shirts became an issue when Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica covered his face to speak to Vinicius Jr of Real Madrid during a Champions League game. 

The international from Argentina was accused of racist abuse and was provisionally banned for one match. After a UEFA investigation, Prestianni was found guilty of homophobic conduct and was subsequently banned for 6 matches. 3 of those matches were suspended. 

IFAB Members at the Meeting in Vancouver | Source: Modern Ghana

At the IFAB annual general meeting in Wales later in February, it was agreed upon that members would reconvene ahead of this week's FIFA Council in Vancouver. 

Decisions on the matter are left at the absolute discretion of the referee, who will look at all circumstances before issuing a red card. 

An Emotional Vinicius Jr at a Press Conference | Source: BBC

Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, said he wants to bring a "deterrent effect" and backed the issuance of red cards. "If a player covers his mouth and says something, and this has a racist consequence, then he has to be sent off, obviously. There must be a presumption that he has said something he shouldn't have said, he wouldn't have had to cover his mouth. If you do not have something to hide, you don't hide your mouth when you say something. That's it, as simple as that.", Infantino said on the matter.

During a penalty that was awarded to Morocco in the Final of the Africa Cup, Senegal left the pitch in protest and returned to their locker room. The players eventually returned to the game and Brahim Diaz chipped his Panenka into the hands of of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Senegal won the match 1-0.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarded a 3-0 win to Monaco and stripped Senegal of the title. Any team official who incites the players to leave the pitch is also affected by this rule. A team that leaves the pitch will forfeit the match.