New red card rule allows referees to send off players who cover their mouths or walk off the pitch in protest against a decision. Footballers covering their mouths during a confrontation with an opponent or any other player on the pitch will be given a red card under a new rule approved by the International Football Association ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌Board (IFAB). The board held a special ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠meeting in Vancouver on Tuesday to pass FIFA-approved amendments to address inappropriate behaviour ahead of the World Cup in North America. “At the discretion of the competition organiser, any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card,” IFAB said. This change follows a UEFA Champions League match ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌where Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni made racially abusive comments directed at Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior while pulling his jersey up over his mouth to hide what he was saying.…