Football’s lawmakers will begin formal consultations on potential measures aimed at reducing the practice of players covering their mouths during heated on-field exchanges.
The announcement was made on Saturday, with officials confirming that the issue will be discussed as part of wider reviews of player conduct and communication. The move follows growing concern that players are increasingly using hand or shirt coverings over their mouths when confronting opponents or speaking to match officials, making it more difficult for referees and disciplinary bodies to assess behaviour and language used during flashpoints.
While the practice is not currently prohibited by the Laws of the Game, it has drawn attention in recent seasons as television coverage, social media scrutiny and video review technology have made incidents between players more visible and more heavily analysed. Lawmakers are expected to look at whether this habit undermines transparency on the pitch and complicates efforts to protect players and officials from abusive or discriminatory language.
Any potential change would likely focus on situations where players approach opponents or referees in confrontational circumstances and deliberately obscure their mouths while speaking. The consultations will consider whether new guidance, specific restrictions, or expanded powers for match officials are necessary, and how such measures could be enforced consistently across competitions.
Officials are also expected to weigh player concerns about privacy and self-protection. Some players have said in the past that they cover their mouths to avoid lip-reading in broadcast footage, to keep tactical instructions private, or simply out of habit in emotionally charged moments. The discussions will therefore centre on striking a balance between legitimate concerns raised by players and the game’s interest in clarity, respect and accountability.
The consultation process is set to involve national associations, leagues, referees, players’ representatives and competition organisers. Any eventual proposals for rule adjustments or additional guidelines would need to be approved through the established decision-making procedures for changes to the Laws of the Game, and would likely be communicated well in advance of implementation to allow clubs and players to adapt.
As of now, no specific sanctions or detailed regulations have been confirmed. The consultations are intended to gather views, assess the scale of the issue and explore practical responses before any formal recommendations are made.
