Ecuador’s Hincapie second to sent-off for mouth covering

Mexico City: Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie became the second player to receive a red card at the World Cup under FIFA’s new rule requiring a player to be sent off for covering his mouth during an argument with an opponent.

Hincapie was sent off in the 95th minute of Ecuador’s 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the round of 32 on Tuesday. He was shown a red card after an exchange with Mexican forward Santi Gimenez.

FIFA has created a new rule to prevent players from hiding abusive comments towards opponents by covering their mouths.

Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron became the first player to be punished under the new rule when he received a red card in the group stage match against Türkiye last week.

With Ecuador’s tournament coming to an end, Hincapie will be suspended from the team’s next international match.