Ex-PGMOL chief slams FIFA's 'rushed idea' as controversial Declan Rice footage re-analysed
Declan Rice didn't deserve to be sent off after FIFA "rushed" into the addition of red cards for covering mouths at the 2026 World Cup.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the new rule is incredible difficult to prove.
Multiple players, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, have been pictured covering their mouths during the tournament, but not in a confrontational manner.
Paraguay's Miguel Almiron was not to lucky, being sent off in the 1-0 win over Turkey in the group stages, with Piero Hincapie suffering the same fate against Mexico.
In England's dramatic collapse against Argentina on Wednesday, 15 July, Rice was seen covering his mouth in a conversation with Messi, but no action was taken against the Arsenal man.
The footballing legend could have easily made a bigger deal out of the situation, but instead, one former referee has gone after the rule itself.
FIFA 'bulldozed' new rule into effect at World Cup
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett believes that FIFA gave very little thought to the rule, and that referees have since eased off red cards in this situation.
"I think that when you actually make these announcements on what you expect referees to do, I think it was a rushed idea," he said.
"I don't know whose idea it was in FIFA, but they seemed to use a bulldozer to get it implemented.
"And then when they saw it, and a player gets sent off, they've got to implement a suspension. The reality is that in national competitions the appeal process is very forensic.
"Often, players are represented by top lawyers, barristers and I think anybody would sit down and say, 'Prove it'.
"And the player can just say, 'Well, I was actually complimenting him,' or, 'Sorry, I was just about to sneeze'.
"It doesn't amaze me that they bring these things in and don't think things through. Those in the coaches and technical staff within clubs will find ways around the laws."
What rules are being implemented by the Premier League next season?
The IFAB have already announced its additions for the 2026-27 campaign, and the most notable rule will be a yellow card for hair pulling.
Three players were sent off for exactly that last season, being viewed as violent conduct, but this will only be worthy of a yellow card next term.
The Premier League is unlikely to adopt the red card for mouth covering rule, while second yellow card incidents, resulting in a red, can be reviewed by VAR.
Time-wasting is also a huge concern, with players who receive treatment must go off the pitch for an entire minute, rather than the previous 30 seconds.