Players who display messages on T-shirts worn underneath their strips will face punishment after new proposals were agreed.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the body which oversees the rules of the game, passed the law at a meeting in Zurich.
It will come in to force on 1 June, in time for the World Cup in Brazil.

The new law was proposed by the Football Association and will apply to domestic and international football.

FA general secretary Alex Horne said: "The idea is to get some consistency. The simplest rule for the image of the game is to start from the basis that slogans will not be allowed."

From the time the new rule comes in to place, incidents such as Mario Balotelli's infamous
"Why Always Me?" message, which he revealed after scoring against Manchester United in 2011, will be banned and subject to a sanction.

Manchester United have announced plans for a pre-season tour of the United States.

The trip marks the first time the club will return to North America following tours in 2010 and 2011 and is rumoured to be part of the 2014 International Champions Cup.

Last season's ICC involved eight teams - including the likes of Chelsea, Juventus, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy - facing selected opponents in America and Spain, with Madrid beating Jose Mourinho's side in the final.

Real Madrid will reportedly defend their crown this summer in a 12-team version, along with the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and United - though official participation is yet to be confirmed.

Richard Arnold, United's group managing director, said in a statement: "I'm delighted to announce that the team will be returning to the USA for our 2014 Tour, presented by Aon.

"Since the club's last visit in 2011, the appeal of football in America has grown rapidly. NBC reported that this season's Barclays Premier League opening weekend saw the average viewership rise by 78 per cent from the 2012-13 season, with Manchester United's match against Swansea being the most-watched game.

"Manchester United has over eight million followers in the United States and the 2014 Tour presents an exciting opportunity for these fans to get up close to the club they love."

The Super Eagles of Nigeria, have been selected to participate in a pre-World Cup tournament, which will involve eight teams, including Ivory Coast and Spain.


The competition, which is being put together by the Major League Soccer (MLS), is tagged 'Road to Brazil' and is scheduled to take place between May 27 and June 10.

Nigeria's Group F opponents in the World Cup, Bosnia-Herzegovania, Greece and Honduras are some of the other countries, that are expected to take part. Countries like El Savador and Bolivia, who will not be at the World Cup, have also been picked for the competition.

However, none of the countries have yet to confirm their participation.