United News of Bangladesh

Football’s global rulemakers have revised red card guidelines following two controversial incidents in international matches earlier this year. The changes were pushed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino after separate incidents involving Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni and Senegal’s national team drew widespread attention. Under the updated guidance approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), players can now be shown a red card if they cover their mouths while verbally confronting an opponent. The rule is optional and can be enforced at the discretion of tournament organizers, including FIFA. The decision follows an incident in a Champions League match where Prestianni allegedly hid his words while insulting Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior. Vinícius, supported by teammate Kylian Mbappé, accused him of making a racially offensive remark. Last week, UEFA handed Prestianni a six-match suspension, with three games suspended during a probation period, citing verbal abuse. While the body said it could not prove racial abuse, it confirmed the use of a homophobic slur, which the player admitted. If selected for Argentina’s World Cup squad, he will miss the team’s first two matches, although the decision can still be appealed. IFAB also approved another rule allowing referees to issue red cards to players who leave the field in protest of a decision. The same punishment can apply to team officials who encourage such actions. This follows a dramatic incident during the Africa Cup of Nations final in January, when Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in stoppage time to protest a penalty awarded to host Morocco with the score at 0-0. The match was halted for nearly 15 minutes before play resumed. Senegal eventually won in extra time, but the title was later stripped by African football authorities. The case is now set to be heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland. IFAB said the new rules will be shared with all 48 teams participating in the upcoming World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Belgium’s foreign minister wore a “One Love” armband when she met with FIFA president Gianni Infantino at her country’s World Cup match against Canada on Wednesday. Hadja Lahbib was pictured wearing the colorful armband — regarded as a symbol for inclusion and diversity — that FIFA has prevented captains of seven European teams, including Belgium, from wearing at the World Cup in Qatar. Read more: Japanese footballers find the energy to clean up locker room after beating Germany, win over internet They wanted to wear it as a rebuke to host nation Qatar’s human rights record. Lahbib posted a photo of herself on Twitter wearing the band on her left arm, writing: “My heart goes out to our Red Devils!” FIFA warned the seven European federations that players would be penalized if they wore the armband. Germany’s players covered their mouths for their team photo before their opening World Cup match, a 2-1 loss to Japan, to protest against FIFA’s clampdown on the “One Love” armband. Read more: After 36 years, Canada has to wait longer for World Cup win “It was a sign from the team, from us,” Germany coach Hansi Flick said, “that FIFA is muzzling us.” German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, who is also responsible for sports, also wore a “One Love” armband in the stands for her country’s match, sitting beside Infantino. Faeser posted a photo of herself wearing it with the hashtag #OneLove. Europe has been outspoken in its criticism of Qatar for breaching human rights. Belgium Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib wore the "One Love" armband during her meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in protest of Qatar's human rights violations.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has sought speedy and complete recovery of BFF President Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin, who tested positive for Covid-19 on November 25.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino wished all the candidates of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) election 2020 which is undergoing at the Panpacific Sonargon Hotel at the capital on Saturday.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has pledged 6 million U.S. dollars grant to Angola in aid for infrastructure projects development.