Players in the Premier League who deliberately cough at opponents or referees is now considered as an offence and will be shown red or yellow cards.
The new guidelines was issued by England’s Football Association (FA) due to the fear of COVID-19 and will come into force immediately and be applied at all levels of the game.
It is considered an offence when “the referee is certain someone deliberately, and from close range, coughed into the face of an opponent or match official…”
It added that the offence would fall under the category of “using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures”.
So players have been advised not to make such actions during the game.
The new Premier League season will begin on Sept 12 and will end on May 16, 2021.