Journalistic reports have revealed the stance of Spanish league referees on implementing the Vinicius law, which was enforced last season following the famous incident between Vinicius Junior and Prestianni in the match between Real Madrid and Benfica in the UEFA Champions League.
Real Madrid faced their counterpart Benfica in the first leg of the round of 16 playoff in last season's UEFA Champions League.
The first leg ended with a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid, and Vinicius celebrated with his famous dance in front of the Benfica fans, which led to him receiving a yellow card, before he informed the referee that he had been subjected to racist abuse from player Gianluca Prestianni.
After Gianluca Prestianni's conviction for calling Vinicius a monkey became clear, FIFA decided to introduce a new law preventing any player from covering their mouth while speaking to an opponent, to be called the Vinicius law.
According to the Spanish newspaper Marca, the latest developments in Spanish competitions for the upcoming season are that referees will not send off players who cover their mouths while speaking to an opponent.
It stated that the International Football Association Board (IFAB) granted each competition the right to choose whether or not to apply this rule, and accordingly, the Spanish Referees Committee (CTA) decided not to implement the Vinicius law.
It explained on this point, saying: "Covering the mouth will not be a reason to show a red card, as we do not know what the player may have said, and it seems unfair and exaggerated to us."
