Ecuadorian player sent off after ‘childish, petulant’ behaviour
Ecuador’s Piero Hincapié has made history for all the wrong reasons.
The defender became the second player to be sent off at the 2026 World Cup under FIFA’s controversial new rule, which mandates a red card for any player who covers their mouth during a confrontational exchange with an opponent.
Piero Hincapié was given a red card for covering his mouth in a confrontation. SBS
Hincapié was sent off in the 95th minute of Ecuador’s 2-0 loss to Mexico in the round of 32 on Wednesday AEST.
He was promptly shown the red card by Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic following an exchange with Mexico forward Santi Giménez.
The dismissal sparked immediate criticism. Ex-Socceroos player Robbie Cornthwaite didn’t hold back his frustration at Hincapié’s brash behaviour in the dying moments of the match.
“This frustrates the hell out of me,” Cornthwaite said, speaking on SBS Sport.
“The game is over. We know you’re upset, you don’t need to go and get yourself sent off, do something stupid.
“It’s childish, it’s petulant. You’re trying to make a name for yourself or grab some attention – I don’t know. It’s so unnecessary.”
Hincapié is not the first casualty of FIFA’s aggressive crackdown on player’s shielding their comments.
Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón became the first player punished under the new regulation after he was sent off during a tense group-stage clash against Turkey.
While Ecuador’s World Cup journey has officially come to an end, the consequences of the card will carry over.
Hincapié is now suspended for his country’s next official international match.
Santiago Gimenez immediately alerted the referee of the infringement. Ryan Pierse
The strict enforcement of the rule has ignited debate across the footballing world.
England’s Jude Bellingham was spotted on the pitch covering his mouth while chatting to Ghana’s Jordan Ayew, prompting FIFA to clarify that the rule is strictly for confrontational settings, not friendly discussion on the pitch which is commonplace in football.
The decision of a red card in this World Cup is completely to the referee’s discretion.
The game was not without drama as Mexican fans were heard using a homophobic chant in the stands during the first half of the match.
The chant, a one-word slur that means male prostitute in Spanish, usually occurs when the opposing goalkeeper is taking a goal kick. The fans did it five minutes into the game when Hernán Galíndez kicked for the first time.
