The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved new rules that will see players potentially receive red cards for covering their mouths during verbal clashes and for leaving the field in protest of a referee's decision.

• Players covering their mouths during confrontations with opponents may be sanctioned with a red card.
• IFAB, following Fifa-proposed laws, has also introduced red cards for players leaving the field in protest.
• These new regulations were unanimously approved at a special meeting in Vancouver, Canada and will be implemented for this year's World Cup.