Arsenal Defender Hincapié Dismissed in World Cup Clash Over Mouth-Covering Rule
Ecuador defender Piero Hincapié has become the second player to be dismissed under FIFA’s new mouth-covering rule after receiving a red card during his country’s World Cup knockout defeat to Mexico.
The Arsenal centre-back was shown a straight red card in stoppage time after confronting Mexico forward Santiago Giménez with Ecuador trailing 2-0 in their Round of 32 encounter.
Hincapié was seen covering his mouth while speaking during the heated exchange, prompting Giménez to alert referee Slavko Vinčić. Following a VAR review, the official sent the defender off for breaching FIFA’s newly introduced regulation.
The dismissal came moments before the final whistle as Mexico completed a 2-0 victory to book a place in the Round of 16, where they will meet either England or DR Congo.
FIFA introduced the mouth-covering rule ahead of the 2026 World Cup to discourage players from hiding comments made during confrontations on the pitch.
Under the regulation, referees can issue a straight red card if a player deliberately covers his mouth while engaging in a dispute with an opponent.
The rule was adopted after a UEFA Champions League match earlier this year in which Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth while directing remarks at Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid, making it impossible for officials to determine what had been said.
Earlier in the tournament, Miguel Almirón became the first player to be sent off under the new regulation during Paraguay’s group-stage victory over Turkey, making Hincapié the latest player to fall foul of the rule
About The Author
Leave a comment