World Cup's new rules explained: VAR for corners, no GK 'timeouts,' red card for covering your mouth - ESPN

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has made some big changes to soccer ahead of the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. But you'll also see them in leagues around the world next season, too.

Here is what is changing this summer.

Andy Davies (@andydaviesref) is a former Select Group referee, with more than 12 seasons on the elite list, working across the Premier League and Championship. With extensive experience at the elite level, he has operated within the VAR space in the Premier League and offers a unique insight into the processes, rationale and protocols that are delivered on a Premier League matchday.

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) will now be allowed to review a number of new things, including:

— An incorrectly awarded corner kick, but only as long as it doesn't delay the restart.

— Any attacking fouls that happen before play is started. Previously, no foul would be allowed until the ball is live, but now VAR can step in to suggest disciplinary action when a restart has resulted in a goal, penalty, corner or free kick.

— A red card that is issued from a second yellow card that is clearly incorrect.

— A case of mistaken identity when a player is punished with a yellow or red card for a foul committed by another player.

Verdict: These are sensible additions to the VAR review protocol. They are all situations where, currently, it doesn't make sense that they can't be checked. — Davies

Any player who covers their mouth with a hand, arm or shirt during a confrontation with an opponent will be punished with a red card.

The rule has been brought in to stop potential racist comments being hidden from view, after the recent incident involving Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni and