UEFA will not issue red cards to players who cover their mouths in confrontational situations in its competitions.

European football’s governing body confirmed on Thursday that it will not follow the lead of FIFA in making covering the mouth in confrontations with opponents a mandatory red card offence.

The law change, which was the idea of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, was approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in April.

That decision came after a high-profile incident involving Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior in February. Prestianni was accused of racist abuse after covering his mouth with his shirt in a confrontation with Vinicius after the Brazil star had put Madrid ahead in Lisbon.

Prestianni was given a prima facie suspension for the second leg of their play-off round tie before being handed a six-game suspension by UEFA for homophobic abuse. That was extended globally by FIFA, with the Argentinian then left out of his country’s World Cup squad.

Two players have already been sent off for covering their mouths at the World Cup, with Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron and Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie dismissed following VAR checks in their games against Turkey and Mexico respectively.

But such punishments will not come into force in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League, with UEFA declining the option to do so.

In quotes reported by the BBC, UEFA said referees should assess incidents individually and determine if a yellow card should be issued if the covering of the mouth is “an attempt to conceal communication as an act of unsporting behaviour”. 

The governing body added: “This is obviously without prejudice to any disciplinary investigation or proceedings that may follow as a consequence of, or in connection with, such behaviour.”