Ecuador’s World Cup ended in bizarre fashion, and a new rule played the villain. Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 in the Round of 32, but the headline moment came in stoppage time when Piero Hincapié saw red for covering his mouth.
Vinicius Rule Claims Its Second Victim
Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez had already put Mexico ahead when tempers flared late on. Hincapié clashed with Santiago Giménez near the touchline, and as the pair argued, the Ecuador defender covered his mouth while speaking. Giménez immediately appealed to referee Slavko Vinčić, who reviewed the footage pitchside before showing a straight red.
Hincapié became the second player dismissed under this rule at the tournament. Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón was first, sent off during first half stoppage time against Turkey in their Group D fixture after covering his mouth mid argument with Mert Müldür.
The rule traces back to a Champions League night in February. Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of directing a racial slur at him, but Prestianni had shielded his mouth with his jersey throughout the exchange. Investigators could not confirm the exact words, though UEFA eventually banned Prestianni for six matches over homophobic conduct instead.
FIFA responded quickly. In late April, the International Football Association Board met in Vancouver and approved the amendment, aiming to stop players from hiding discriminatory remarks behind their hands or jerseys. Under the new interpretation, any player deemed to be communicating with hostile intent while covering their mouth can be sent off directly, regardless of whether the actual words can be verified.
Ecuador coach Sixto Vizuete had little room to argue given the rule’s clarity. Mexico, meanwhile, moves on with a home crowd behind them and a Round of 16 date with the winner of England and DR Congo waiting ahead.
