Referee Slavko Vincic, of Slovenia, talks to Ecuador's Piero Hincapie (3) during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) (Fernando Llano/AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Ecuador's Piero Hincapie leaves the pitch after receiving a red card during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match against Mexico in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) (Ricardo Mazalan/AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Referee Slavko Vincic of Slovenia speaks to Ecuador's Piero Hincapie (3) before sending him from the field during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) (Natacha Pisarenko/AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Referee Slavko Vincic, of Slovenia shows a red card to Ecuador's Piero Hincapie (3),not in picture, during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) (Eduardo Verdugo/AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Ecuador’s Piero Hincapié became the second player to be issued a red card at the World Cup under FIFA’s new rule that calls for a player to be sent off for covering their mouth during a confrontational exchange with an opponent.
Hincapié was sent off in the 95th minute of Ecuador’s 2-0 loss to Mexico Tuesday in the round of 32. He was shown the red card following an exchange with Mexico forward Santi Giménez.
FIFA established the new rule to prevent players from hiding abusive comments to opponents by covering their mouth.
Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón was the first player to be punished under the new rule when he was sent off in a group stage match against Turkey last week.
While Ecuador’s tournament is over, Hincapié will be suspended for the team's next international match.
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Jack Little is a student in the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.
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