The elimination of Ecuador in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup against Mexico was marked by an action that generated controversy and all kinds of opinions. In the final minutes of the match, defender Piero Hincapié received a direct red card for violating the new FIFA regulation that penalizes players who speak to an opponent while covering their mouth.
The incident occurred during stoppage time of the match played at Estadio Azteca. After a clash in the midfield, Hincapié approached Mexican forward Santiago Giménez and, while exchanging words, covered his mouth with one hand. The attacker alerted the Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić, who stopped the game and requested VAR intervention.
After reviewing the footage, the referee deemed that the Ecuadorian defender had violated the rules and showed him a direct red card. The decision left Ecuador with ten players in the final moments and ultimately sealed the elimination of the South American team.
After the expulsion, Hincapié's reaction was one of anger, and some suggest that he may have done it on purpose. With this sanction, the defender became the second player in World Cup history to be sent off for applying this regulatory provision.
The regulation, popularly known as the "Vinícius Law" or "Prestianni Law," was incorporated by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) with the aim of strengthening the fight against discriminatory insults and other unsportsmanlike conduct during matches.
