local
Why are World Cup refs giving red cards to players covering their mouths when confronting opponents?
By Steve Reed, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 1, 2026
· 2 min read
World Cup players were warned before the tournament about a new rule that would result in an immediate red card for anyone covering their mouth when verbally confronting another player.Officials are actively enforcing that rule change.The latest incident came on Tuesday night when Ecuador defende...
Key takeaway The latest incident came on Tuesday night when Ecuador defender Piero Hincapié was sent off in second-half stoppage time of his team's 2-0 loss to Mexico in the round of 32.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio soccer fans watching the World Cup may have noticed a new rule being enforced, resulting in immediate red cards for players covering their mouths during confrontations with opponents. This rule change, nicknamed the "Prestianni Law," aims to prevent players from hiding abusive or discriminatory language. The enforcement of this rule has local implications, as San Antonio is home to a diverse soccer community with many fans attending local matches and watching international games. The city's own soccer scene may see a trickle-down effect, with local leagues and tournaments potentially adopting similar rules to promote fair play and sportsmanship. As the World Cup continues, San Antonio fans will be watching to see how this new rule affects the game, and whether it will have a lasting impact on the sport as a whole. The rule's emphasis on preventing abusive language may also spark conversations about sportsmanship and respect in local soccer communities.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? World Cup players were warned before the tournament about a new rule that would result in an immediate red card for anyone covering their mouth when verbally confronting another player.Officials are actively enforcing that rule change.The latest incident came on Tuesday night when Ecuador defende...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Steve Reed, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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