Hincapié sent off under ‘Vinicius Law’

Piero Hincapié was dismissed during Ecuador’s 2-0 defeat to Mexico after falling foul of the controversial “Vinicius Law,” which penalises players for covering their mouths while speaking on the pitch. With Ecuador already trailing and hopes of a comeback fading, Hincapié muttered a comment to Santiago Giménez behind his hand, prompting the Mexican striker to alert the officials. VAR reviewed the incident, and referee Slavko Vinčić issued a straight red card. Hincapié becomes the second player at this World Cup to be sent off for the offence, following Miguel Almirón’s dismissal against Turkey in the group stage.

The regulation was introduced after the high-profile case involving Gianluca Prestianni and Vinicius Junior, in which the Argentine was accused of using a racist slur during a Champions League match. Ecuador’s night ended in frustration, while Mexico advanced with a clean sheet and a place in the last sixteen.