“Sport rule-makers and the England Football Association have announced that football players may take red card if they intentionally cough at opponents or any match official due to Corona Virus.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) see the issue of intentional coughing at opponents or match official as “using offensive, insulting or abusive language or gestures.
IFAB however concluded that it’s up to the referee to decide wether he felt it was abusive gesture.
“As with all offences, the referee has to make a judgement about the true nature of the offence,” the body said.
“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.”
