The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has introduced a new rule to the existing football rules
According to the board, any player that will deliberately cough at the other will be sent off the pitch immediately by receiving a red card
The rule also states that if the incident is not severe enough to merit a sending-off, caution could be issued for “unsporting behavior”
The board also added that referees must be very vigilant because this new rule can only be supported where it is evident it was a clear act against someone else
If the incident was not severe enough to merit a sending-off, caution could be issued for unsporting behavior
IFAB says
referees must not look to punish “routine” coughing and “action can only be supported where it is evident it was a clear act against someone else