New FIFA rule explained as Arsenal's Piero Hincapie sent off for 'stupid' moment vs Mexico

Arsenal's Piero Hincapie has been slammed after he became the second player to be sent off for covering his mouth in Ecuador's World Cup round of 32 defeat to Mexico.

Co-hosts Mexico qualified for the round of 16 with a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez at the Estadio Azteca.

Then, in stoppage time, Arsenal defender Hincapie was shown a red card after a VAR review having been involved in a confrontation with Mexico's Santiago Gimenez.

The 24-year-old covered his mouth while speaking to the AC Milan striker, who promptly alerted the referee Slavko Vincic by imitating a mouth-covering gesture.

The official was encouraged to review the incident through VAR and watched the incident back on a pitchside monitor.

He then announced his decision to the stadium.

In line with FIFA's new directive, Hincapie followed Paraguay's Miguel Almiron and became the second player to be shown a red card for covering his mouth.

The 24-year-old became the first Premier League star to fall foul of the rule and was furious as he ripped off his wrist tape and stormed off the pitch.

Another World Cup red card for a player covering their mouth! ❌

This time it's Arsenal and Ecuador's Piero Hincapie who is sent off for covering his mouth while talking to the opposition 😬 pic.twitter.com/ouPMYdMeAt

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 1, 2026

On X, one fan branded Hincapie "stupid" for the dismissal and another called him a "complete idiot" for the action which led to his dismissal.

Meanwhile, on Australian channel SBS, a panel member slammed Hincapie and claimed he was seeking attention.

He vented: "The game's over. You don't need to get sent off and do something stupid. It's childish, it's petulant. I just think you're trying to make a name for yourself or grab some attention. It's so unnecessary."

Hincapie is now expected to serve an automatic one-game ban that will not apply to this summer's tournament after Ecuador's elimination.

FIFA’s disciplinary committee will be able to upgrade the suspension if they believe further punishment is necessary.

FIFA's new mouth-covering rule explained as Piero Hincapie sent off vs Mexico

The rule was brought in and confirmed by IFAB (the International Football Association Board) following on from Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni covering his mouth and being accused of a racist comment by Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr earlier this year.

Prestianni, who denied a racial remark but admitted making a homophobic comment, was initially hit with a six-game ban - three of which were deferred on probation.

However, UEFA and FIFA decided to extend the suspension and it applied to the World Cup - effectively ruling out Prestianni from participating had he been selected by Argentina.

Almiron made unwanted history with his costly mouth-covering gesture against Turkey but England's Jude Bellingham avoided any punishment for a moment against Ghana.

Bellingham was seen in conversation with Ghana captain Jordan Ayew in the second half and covered his mouth - something World Cup record goalscorer Lionel Messi did when communicating with his Argentina teammates in a 3-0 win over Algeria.

Prior to the World Cup, FIFA's head of referees, explained how the rule would work and the clear difference which would result in a sending off.

"Players can continue to cover their mouth with an arm and the shirt, because they may chat with friends," the Italian stated.

"It's normal to chat before, during or after the match. So if the conversation is a friendly conversation, they can continue to do it without any problem.

"When the conversation is confrontational, covering the mouth means that you are doing something very wrong, potentially, and the sanction is the red card."

Mexico will play the winner of England and DR Congo on home soil on Sunday evening.