FIFA president calls for a tougher stance, saying hidden speech suggests guilt and undermines football’s fight against racism.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has called for stricter and more decisive action against racism in football, insisting that players who cover their mouths while making racist remarks should be immediately sent off.

Speaking to Sky News, Infantino argued that concealing one’s mouth while speaking strongly suggests an awareness of wrongdoing. According to him, referees should presume that a player who hides his mouth has said something inappropriate, particularly if the outcome is racially offensive.

“If a player covers his mouth and says something, and this has a racist consequence, then he has to be sent off, obviously,” Infantino said. “There must be a presumption that he has said something he shouldn’t have said, otherwise he wouldn’t have had to cover his mouth.”

The FIFA boss said he finds it difficult to accept excuses in such situations, stressing that honest communication does not require concealment. “If you don’t have something to hide, you don’t hide your mouth when you say something. It’s as simple as that,” he added.

Infantino maintained that football’s authorities must act decisively if the sport is to be credible in its campaign against racism. He described firm in-game sanctions as necessary steps to show zero tolerance and to protect players from abuse.