Ecuador's Piero Hincapie became the second player at the 2026 World Cup to be sent off for covering his mouth during a match, after the Arsenal defender hid his lips while confronting Mexico's Santiago Gimenez in stoppage time. His side were already losing 2-0 and heading out of the tournament when Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic, who did not see the incident, was advised by the video assistant referee to review the footage on the pitchside monitor. He showed a red card.
Hincapie follows Paraguay's Miguel Almiron, who was dismissed for the same offence against Turkey in the group stages, although his side held on to win 1-0. The decision to implement the new rule was taken during a special meeting of the law-making International Football Association Board in Vancouver in April. Before the tournament, Fifa's head of referees Pierluigi Collina explained that players are permitted to hide their mouths if engaging in "friendly conversations" but that the law was designed for "confrontational" interactions. Fifa president Gianni Infantino had previously spoken in support, saying referees should work from a "presumption" that players have said "something they shouldn't have".
“Ecuador's Piero Hincapie sent off for covering mouth during World Cup match against Mexico.”
The issue of players covering their mouths came under the spotlight in February when Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni raised his shirt while speaking to Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr during a Champions League game. Prestianni was accused of racist abuse – which he denied – and provisionally banned for one match. Following a Uefa investigation, he was instead found guilty of homophobic conduct and banned for six matches, three of which were suspended.
England midfielder Jude Bellingham was not sent off despite covering his mouth while speaking to Ghana's Jordan Ayew last week, highlighting the discretion that remains with referees. Any decision to send a player off remains at the discretion of the referee, who will consider all circumstances before issuing a red card.