Coughing close to others on the field could cost players a red card in soccer

The International Football Association Board updated its guidelines while the pandemic perseveres.

By AP | Aug 05, 2020, 05.50 PM IST

Fulham's Joe Bryan celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates and manager Scott Parker, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease.

ZURICH: A soccer player who deliberately coughs close to another player or match official can be issued a red card.

The International Football Association Board, the game's lawmaker, updated its guidelines while the pandemic perseveres.

A referee can only red card a player when they are certain the cough is intentional. A yellow card is also optional.

The new rule falls under "using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures."

IFAB said in a statement: "As with all offences, the referee has to make a judgment about the true nature of the offense.

"If it were clearly accidental, then the referee would not take action nor if the 'cough' took place with a large distance between the players.

"However, where it is close enough to be clearly offensive, then the referee can take action."

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