World Cup’s New Mouth-Covering Rule Just Cost Another Player a Red Card

Ecuador defender Piero Hincapié learned the hard way Tuesday night that FIFA’s new anti-mouth-covering rule isn’t just for show. He got sent off in second-half stoppage time during Ecuador’s 2-0 loss to Mexico in the round of 32, all because he covered his mouth while jawing at Mexico forward Santi Giménez.

The red card didn’t change the outcome of the game. But it sent a pretty clear message: the rule is real, and refs are using it.

What’s the deal with this rule anyway?

FIFA quietly introduced the rule before the tournament. It’s been unofficially dubbed the ‘Prestianni Law’ after a controversy that blew up back in February. Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni was accused of covering his mouth with his jersey while allegedly yelling racially charged insults at Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior during a Champions League match. Vinícius said he couldn’t hear what was said, but he could tell it wasn’t friendly.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino pushed for a change after that incident. The International Football Association Board, which includes FIFA and the four British soccer federations, approved the guideline unanimously. It’s not a mandatory change to the Laws of the Game, but it gives tournament organizers like FIFA the green light to enforce it however they want.

Hincapié isn’t the first guy to get burned

Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón was actually the first player punished under this rule. He got a red card during a group match against Turkey for covering his mouth during a confrontation with defender Mert Mulder. Paraguay won that game 1-0, but Almirón had to sit out Paraguay’s next group match against Australia. FIFA said that decision couldn’t be appealed.

So yeah. It’s not a one-off thing.

What happens after a player gets sent off?

Standard stuff for the most part. A red card means the player is out of the current match, and his team has to play the rest of the game with 10 guys. That’s a huge disadvantage, obviously. The suspended player also has to sit out the next match. Once that suspension is over, his team can go back to a full 11-man lineup — they just can’t use the guy who got tossed.

The rule is designed to stop players from hiding abusive, discriminatory, or offensive language behind their hands or jerseys. Whether you think it’s a smart move or an overreach, FIFA is clearly serious about enforcing it. And with Hincapié’s red card making headlines, you can bet every player left in the tournament is thinking twice before covering their mouth during a heated exchange.