Seedorf: Players who cover their mouth when talking during matches should be sanctioned
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 14.04.21. | 16:56
The legendary Dutch midfielder thinks that those players should receive a yellow card
Clarence Seedorf has no dilemma - footballers should be immediately punished with a yellow card if they deliberately cover their mouth while talking to an opponent or a referee during matches.
Seedorf, a former Netherlands international and four-time Champions League winner, told a Council of Europe meeting on combating hate speech that stopping players covering their mouths was a simple step which could be taken.
"When I approach the referee or another player in any sport, you are not allowed to cover your mouth, it has to be a sanction, a yellow card.
"There is a lot of talk but not enough being done. The need is obvious and very urgent," he said and added:
"From players' perspective, I have seen stuff with players speaking and covering their mouth during matches. There were some racist situations in the last weeks or months where the players among themselves had hate speeches. Those things can be very easily attacked by implementing some rules. When we're talking about sport it has to be completely transparent, so why would I cover my mouth if I need to talk with my adversary?"
The former Milan, Inter, Ajax, Real Madrid and Sampdoria player explained that if he wants to talk to his coach or a team-mate, tthat's all fine...
"But when I approach the referee or another player in any sport, you are not allowed to cover your mouth, it has to be a sanction, a yellow card."
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