Football has implemented many notable changes over recent months in order to adapt amid the coronavirus pandemic that initially brought the game to a grinding halt.
From extended squads to more substitutions, regular testing, spitting bans, no handshakes and disinfected balls, corner flags and goals, the sport has had to adapt quickly and thoroughly to ensure it can continue to operate during the 'new normal'.
And now, football's chief rulemaking body, the International Football Association Board (Ifab), have indicated one more key guideline to stress the importance of individual safety during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.
Deliberately coughing in the face of another player, match official or team official could now result in a red card.
"Given the current situation relating to Covid-19, if a player deliberately coughed in the face of another player, team official or match official, this could be deemed to fall within the Law 12 sending-off offence of 'using offence, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures," an Ifab spokesperson told the Press Association.
Per the BBC, Ifab added: "As with all offences, the referee has to make a judgement about the true nature of the offence."
