India, June 1 -- Controversy at the Africa Cup of Nations 2026 has led to major changes to the Laws of the Game ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The new changes include stricter punishments for players who leave the field in protest and a new rule against covering the mouth during confrontational situations.

Players who leave the field of play to protest about a referee's decision will be shown a direct red card. The rule also applies to team officials, who incite players to protest. Teams which cause a match to be abandoned will now have to forfeit the game.

Meanwhile, a player who covers their mouth with their hand, arm or shirt in confrontations or altercations will receive a red card. This comes after Gianluca Prestianni was ac...