Players could be red carded if they deliberately cough at opponents, referees

Nantes' Brazilian defender Diego Carlos (L) receives a red card from French referee Tony Chapron during the French L1 football match between Nantes and Paris Saint-Germain (Paris-SG) at the La Beaujoire stadium in Nantes, western France, on January 14, 2018 [AFP PHOTO / LOIC VENANCE]

Players who deliberately cough at opponents or referees can be shown red or yellow cards under new guidelines issued by England’s Football Association (FA) amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The instructions to referees taking charge of games when COVID-19 restrictions are in place will come into force immediately and be applied at all levels of the game.