Piero Hincapie’s impressive season for club and country ended on a sour note on Tuesday night as he was sent off during Ecuador’s World Cup exit.
The Arsenal defender – who helped them end their 22-year wait for the Premier League title this season – became the second player to be sent off at this World Cup for covering his mouth when talking to an opponent.
The incident occurred during second-half stoppage time of Ecuador’s 2-0 defeat by co-hosts Mexico in the last 32.
In the third minute of seven stoppage-time minutes, an animated Hincapie could be seen arguing with Mexico’s substitute striker Santiago Gimenez.
As the pair butted heads, Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic came over to tell both to stop.
However, as he went to blow the whistle to continue play he was quickly alerted by Gimenez and his Mexico team-mates that Hincapie had covered his mouth and said something in a confrontational way to his rival.
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Piero Hincapie was sent off for Ecuador for covering his mouth while confronting an opponent
Mexico’s players were quick to surround referee Slavko Vincic after Hincapie’s infringement
The Arsenal defender cut a forlorn look as he trudged off the pitch during Ecuador’s 2-0 loss
Crowded by Mexico players and with Hincapie pleading his innocence, Vincic told everyone to go away as he was advised by the VAR to take a look at the pitchside monitor.
And from the replays it was clear that the 24-year-old had covered his mouth when talking right into Gimenez’s face, leaving Vincic with no choice but to send him off.
Despite being banged to rights, Hincapie laughed in disbelief and sarcastically clapped as he jogged off the pitch – refusing to shake any of his opponents’ hands in the process.
Hincapie’s dismissal comes less than a fortnight after Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron made history for becoming the first player to be sent off for such an incident.
Former Newcastle United midfielder Almiron put his hand over his mouth in a confrontation with Turkey defender Mert Muldur during first-half stoppage time of the South American’s 1-0 group stage win.
Almiron was subsequently banned for one game but returned to help his country stun Germany in their last-32 clash on Monday.
This new rule was ratified for the World Cup in April after the issue of players covering their mouths became high profile in February when Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni raised his shirt while speaking to Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr during a Champions League game.
The Argentina international was accused of racist abuse and provisionally banned for one match. Following a UEFA investigation, Prestianni was found guilty of homophobic conduct and banned for six matches – three of which were suspended.
