Ecuador Hincapié red-carded for cover in World Cup loss

Ecuador defender Piero Hincapié was sent off in the final moments of his team's 2-0 loss to Mexico in the World Cup round of 32 on Tuesday, becoming the second player dismissed under a new rule penalizing players for covering their mouths during confrontations. The match, played at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, saw the co-hosts advance to the last 16 while Ecuador was eliminated from the tournament.

The incident occurred deep into second-half stoppage time, with Ecuador already trailing by two goals. Following a booking for a teammate, Hincapié was involved in a heated exchange with Mexico forward Santiago Giménez. The Arsenal defender was seen covering his mouth while speaking. Although the on-field referee, Slavko Vincic, did not initially sanction the action, he was advised by the video assistant referee to review the footage on the pitchside monitor. After the review, Hincapié was shown a straight red card.

The dismissal was enforced under a new FIFA regulation, informally dubbed the "Prestianni Law," which mandates a red card for players who obscure their mouths during confrontational interactions with opponents. The rule is designed to prevent players from hiding...