Why Cristiano Ronaldo didn't get red card for covering mouth under new FIFA rule

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal marched on in the World Cup, but some have been left wondering why he wasn't sent off.

Portugal overcame Croatia 2-1 in a pulsating knockout tie in Toronto, with Gonçalo Ramos' 94th minute strike securing the comeback victory in a game which saw three goals ruled out for off-side.

Ivan Perišić had put Croatia ahead before Cristiano Ronaldo levelled with his first-ever World Cup knock-out goal, converting from the penalty spot.

Ronaldo was replaced in the 81st minute, a decision he was visibly unhappy with, but some eagle-eyed viewers questioned whether he should have been sent off for covering his mouth before the game even began.

Why Ronaldo wasn't sent off for covering his mouth

Though refereeing and VAR intervention has been surprisingly lenient throughout the tournament, there have been some controversial red cards.

Folarian Balogun was dismissed for a mistimed challenge in the USA's win over Bosnia, while two players have fallen victim to a new FIFA law.

FIFA introduced a new rule before the World Cup which makes it a red card offence to cover your mouth during a confrontation with an opponent.

The rule was introduced after Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior claimed he was racially abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, who covered his mouth while talking to the Brazilian during a Champions League match in February.

Paraguay's Miguel Almiron became the first player to be sent off for the offence in the win over Turkey in the group stage, followed by Arsenal's Piero Hincapie during Ecuador's knock-out defeat to Mexico.

Ahead of Portugal vs Croatia, captains Ronaldo and his former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modrić met in the centre circle, swapped pendants and embraced.

Ronaldo was then seen covering his mouth as he talked into Modric's ear.

However, as it was clearly a friendly conversation and not a heated confrontation, the rule did not apply.

FIFA referee chief Pierluigi Collina explained in June: “If it is a friendly conversation, they can continue to do it without any problem.

“We respect that there are players who are friends and it is normal to chat before, during or after the match.

"When it is confrontational, it is a completely different story. Covering the mouth means you are doing something potentially very wrong.

“This is something you do on purpose. It is not something that a player can do instinctively.”

Ronaldo was shown a red card for violent conduct after elbowing Republic of Ireland's Dara O'Shea during a qualifying victory in November.

Though the typical ban for such an offence is three games, FIFA made the decision to suspend his second and third matches to ensure he didn't miss the first two games of the World Cup.

It could well be his last international tournament, too, as his sister, Katia Aveiro, has claimed he will retire from the national side after the tournament.

She told Sport TV ahead of the Croatia match: “Enjoy it while it lasts. It's ending soon. The info I have, from a reliable source… this is his last dance.

“I believe it’s not today that they’ll say goodbye, but it’s coming soon. I strongly believe this is the farewell.

“So enjoy it a lot because it will be difficult to find someone after 200 goals. I’m talking about the Portuguese national team."

New rules for the FIFA World Cup 2026

This year, there’s been a whole host of rule changes, many of which are designed to speed up the game and penalize players who drag things out. Some of the new regulations are likely to prove controversial.

10-second substitution

Subbed players now have to get a move on and leave the pitch within ten seconds by the nearest exit point. If they haven’t, their replacement will get held up by one minute until the next stoppage of play, and until then, their side will have to play with 10 men.

5-second throw-ins and goal kicks

If a referee thinks a player is taking too long for a throw-in or goal kick, they’ll start a five-second countdown, by which time the ball needs to be back in play. If it’s not, for throw-ins the opposing team will get their own throw-in, or for a goal kick the other side gets a corner.

Injured players to remain off the pitch for one minute

An injured player treated by medical staff off-field has to stay off the pitch for one minute, leaving their side with just 10 players.

More VAR

VAR can now be used to review an incorrectly awarded corner kick; second yellow cards resulting in a red card; when a player is incorrectly awarded a yellow or red card for another player’s actions; and any attacking fouls that occur before the ball is in play.

Players can’t cover their mouths

Players who cover their mouths in confrontational situations will be handed a red card. It’s believed players might cover their mouths to guard against lip readers while racially abusing other players, which some suspect has happened in the past.

Red cards for players leaving the pitch

Any player who leaves the pitch in protest over a referee’s decision will be handed a red card, and if a team walks off and causes a match to be abandoned, they’ll forfeit the game.