Ecuador's Hincapié becomes the second player sent off for covering his mouth at the World Cup
Jack Little
Associated Press
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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)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)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)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.
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)
MEXICO CITY – 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.
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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.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
