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Ecuador defender Piero Hincapie became the second player sent off under FIFA’s new mouth-covering rule after a VAR review during his side’s World Cup defeat to Mexico.
Hincapie is the second player to see red at the World Cup under the new rule (X/Getty Images)
FIFA appears determined to stamp out even the slightest hint of hidden on-field exchanges, and Ecuador defender Piero Hincapie became the latest player to learn that lesson the hard way.
Adding insult to injury during Ecuador’s 2-0 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 defeat to co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, the Arsenal centre-back was shown a straight red card deep into stoppage time after covering his mouth while speaking to Mexico striker Santiago Gimenez.
The incident unfolded moments before the final whistle, with Gimenez reacting immediately and alerting the referee. After a VAR review, the official upheld the decision and dismissed Hincapie, capping off a miserable evening for La Tri.
Hincapie is only the second player to be sent off under FIFA’s newly introduced mouth-covering regulation. The first was Paraguay captain Miguel Almiron, who received a red card during his side’s group-stage clash against Turkey after engaging in a similar verbal exchange while shielding his mouth.
The crackdown stems from an incident in the UEFA Champions League involving Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior, who alleged Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni directed racist remarks at him. The alleged comments were made with the player’s mouth covered, making it difficult for match officials and cameras to verify what had been said.
In response, FIFA introduced stricter enforcement at the World Cup. Under the International Football Association Board’s (IFAB) Law 12, players can receive a straight red card for “using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or action(s).” Referees are instructed to rely on what they hear themselves, input from assistant referees and VAR, player reactions, and the broader context of the incident.
The key change, however, gives officials far greater discretion. Ordinary banter remains acceptable, but if a player deliberately covers their mouth with a hand, arm, or shirt during a confrontation, referees are now expected to treat it as suspicious behaviour that can warrant an immediate dismissal.
After Almiron in the group stage, Hincapie has now become the latest, and perhaps not the last, high-profile casualty of FIFA’s uncompromising new approach.
About the Author
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His…Read More
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