Why Ecuador's Piero Hincapie was given red card for covering mouth in confrontation vs. Mexico

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Ecuador was already heading toward a sad ending to its 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Then defender Piero Hincapie covered his mouth, had words for Mexican forward Santi Gimenez, and was given a red card.

The referee on the field needed to go to video review to confirm the call, but the decision was swift.

The straight red card came out. Hincapie was sent off with just a couple minutes to play.

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Why did Piero Hincapie get a red card for covering his mouth?

That's a rule at this tournament. It's that simple.

If a player covers his mouth to say something during a confrontation, it's supposed to be a direct red card.

The rule exists to prevent abuse. It's meant to dissuade players from communicating in such a way to an opponent on the pitch.

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Hincapie either didn't get the memo, or he didn't care with Ecuador trailing 2-0 late in the Round of 32.

He's the second player sent off like that in this tournament. It already happened to Miguel Almiron of Paraguay.

It was a brutal ending to the tournament for the Arsenal player, and for Ecuador as a whole.