New football rules: No spitting or kissing the ball

Teams competing in South America’s Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana have been told players must avoid spitting and kissing the ball as part of new rules published by the region’s football governing body (CONMEBOL) to combat COVID-19.

The two flagship tournaments were suspended in March due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus and new start dates have still to be decided.

CONMEBOL also said in a statement that players must not blow mucus from their nose or swap shirts after the game, and they must use their own personal water bottles. In addition, face masks must be worn when giving post-match interviews and by substitutes on the bench.