The 2026 World Cup has brought in the introduction of multiple new rules, some a lot stranger than others. But one that seemed to make sense was the banning of players covering their mouths when in conversation with an opponent.

Before the tournament, there had been multiple scenarios when players couldn’t be proven guilty of foul language due to covering their mouths when talking to other players, the most noticeable being when Gianluca Prestianni was accused of racially abusing Vinicius Junior in Benfica’s Champions League tie against Real Madrid.

Following this event, FIFA introduced a law, often called the ‘Prestianni rule’, ahead of the World Cup tournament that prohibits players from covering their mouths when talking to opponents, and they will be given a red card if they are caught doing so.

It has been seen being used in effect during the World Cup, when Miguel Almiron was sent off for Paraguay against Turkey after he covered his mouth in conversation with a Turkey player.

Harry Kane Goes Unpunished Against Argentina

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Harry Kane could’ve put himself in a tricky situation during England’s World Cup tie against Argentina when he appeared to cover his mouth during talks with the referee. It looked to be an innocent mistake, and Kane only appeared to have covered his mouth for a matter of seconds, but it was enough for Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes to go rushing to the referee, reminding him of the rule that Kane should be sent off.

However, referee Ismail Elfath was completely uninterested in what Paredes had to say regarding the matter, and waved away any claims of Kane being punished, with the referee much more focused on trying to remember who should be receiving the yellow card in his hand.

Why Harry Kane Was Right To Avoid Red Card

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Whilst the rules do explicitly say that players who cover their mouths will be shown a red card, there have been multiple scenarios where players have avoided punishment after committing the offence during the tournament.

Although the law does sound harsh, there is, luckily, some room for interpretation around the rules that does allow players like Kane to avoid unfair punishment.

Refereeing legend and FIFA’s Head of Referees, Pierluigi Collina, was very open before the tournament regarding the rule, and insisted the rule wasn’t there to catch out any innocent culprits.

Per the BBC, Collina said: “Players can continue to cover their mouth with an arm and a shirt because they may chat with friends. It’s normal for players to chat with their friends before, during, or after the match.

“When the conversation is confrontational, covering the mouth means that you are doing something very wrong, potentially, and the sanction is the red card.”

The quotes from Collina are very clear as to why players like Kane haven’t been sent off when covering their mouths. Not only was Kane not talking to a player, but he was also not in a confrontational situation with the referee, and was merely communicating with him as he is the England Captain.

Jude Bellingham faced a similar scenario during England’s game against Ghana, when the Real Madrid star covered his mouth when talking to his opponent. However, after a VAR review, it was clear that neither player was in a confrontation and was having a normal chat with each other, so Bellingham wasn’t sent off.

It’s a rule that has caused controversy throughout the tournament, but it is a rule that protects players from discrimination, and if used correctly, it will only catch the true perpetrators.

Arsenal are set to complete their second summer transfer on Monday, according to journalist Konstantinos Lianos.

The Gunners have already added goalkeeper Illan Meslier to the squad as cover for David Raya, while Piero Hincapie’s loan move from Bayer Leverkusen has been made permanent. But Arsenal are keen to make more additions to the squad, after a terrific season in which they won the Premier League for the first time since 2004.

Mikel Arteta allowed forward Leandro Trossard to move to Besiktas for £17m as he entered the final year of his contract, and the club are now bracing to seal a deal for his replacement in the coming days.

Arsenal Set to Complete Tzolis Deal

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According to Lianos, Arsenal are set to complete a move to sign Club Brugge star Christos Tzolis before pre-season begins on Monday, July 20th.

Tzolis, who has been described as ‘elite’, registered 22 goals and 29 assists in all competitions for the Belgian side last season, which has attracted the interest of a number of Europe’s top clubs. But the talented forward has made a move to north London his priority, and a deal is set to progress now.

A formal bid is expected to be made in the coming days, with Brugge expected to accept it, and Tzolis has already confirmed his wish to move to the Emirates Stadium.

As a result, Lianos says that he has been told a deal should be finalised before Monday, when Arteta will know exactly when all of his first-team stars will be returning to training following the World Cup.

“I understand Club Brugge star Christos Tzolis’ move to Arsenal will progress and probably be finalised by Monday, July 20 when pre-season officially begins,” he wrote.

“The World Cup will be officially over and Mikel Arteta will know when all of his stars will be back.”

Arsenal To Push After World Cup

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While Tzolis’ deal looks set to be completed quickly, the Gunners are nowhere near done when it comes to the transfer business they want to complete.

Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers is understood to be the top target, and he is open to a move, while Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola is also seen as a big target to come in on the wing, with Trossard gone and both Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus linked with moves away.

The club’s business is likely to be accelerated once the World Cup comes to an end, but Arsenal are adamant they will be competing to make history next season by winning consecutive league titles for the first time in their history.

Tottenham have been dealt a major blow after it emerged that Liverpool have no intention of selling Cody Gakpo this summer, according to talkSPORT.

The north London side have had an excellent transfer window so far, bringing in Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka, Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes, and Sandro Tonali to bolster Roberto De Zerbi’s squad, but they are still keen to add new forward options too.

Gakpo had emerged as a top target for Spurs, with the Netherlands international shining at the World Cup this summer, but a deal will not be happening after a fresh update out of Anfield.

Liverpool Don’t Want to Sell Gakpo

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Gakpo, who signed a new deal at Anfield worth £250,000-a-week last summer, had been tipped for an exit away from the Merseyside club this summer after a string of poor performances last season.

Liverpool are expected to undergo a major rebuild of their own, with Ibrahima Konate and Mohamed Salah both leaving alongside Robertson, while Federico Chiesa is also expected to move on, and there is strong interest in Curtis Jones in midfield.

But it has now emerged that Andoni Iraola, who replaced Arne Slot as manager, sees Gakpo as a key member of his squad for the upcoming campaign, and he is expected to stay.

Liverpool are keen to add to their wide options in this window, having already signed Victor Munoz from Osasuna, and that means Gakpo will not be allowed to leave.

Tottenham are now set to look at alternative options, with Man City star Savinho among their top targets, while AC Milan superstar Rafael Leao has also been linked with a move to north London.

Gakpo Deal Always Unlikely

A move for Gakpo was always an unlikely scenario considering Liverpool’s thin squad, and the value they would place on the winger’s head. But, the same could have been said about moves for Fernandes and Tonali, and Spurs got those done.

A left-winger who can provide a goal threat and also play across the line seems to be a priority for De Zerbi, and Gakpo fits the bill perfectly. But Liverpool know they have a top-quality forward option, and won’t want to let him go easily.

Spurs will now have to look elsewhere to get their forward options upgraded, but they are working hard to do so, and new faces are surely not too far away.