Football lawmakers admit Breel Embolo’s controversial red card against Argentina was wrong
Football’s law-making body, Ifab, has confirmed that Switzerland forward Breel Embolo was wrongly sent off during this month’s World Cup quarter-final clash against Argentina.
The decision, outlined in a circular issued on Tuesday, casts a shadow over a pivotal moment in the match.
Embolo received a second yellow card in the second half, with the score level at 1-1. The incident occurred after the 29-year-old went down following a challenge from Leandro Paredes.
Initially, referee Joao Pinheiro booked the Argentina midfielder, but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervened, informing the official that Paredes had not committed a foul. Pinheiro subsequently booked Embolo for simulation, leading to his dismissal. Argentina went on to score twice in extra time, beating the 10-man Swiss side 3-1 in Kansas City to reach the semi-finals.
Ifab clarified that while VAR can be used to correct mistaken identity when the wrong player is booked, it cannot be used to review the offence itself.
“A yellow card (caution) which is not a second yellow card can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the offence that was penalised; the offence itself cannot be reviewed / changed,” Ifab stated.
“The use of the mistaken identity clause to deal with simulation during the FIFA World Cup 2026 was well received and will be included in the detailed review of the VAR protocol… however, it may not be used as such until that review is concluded.”
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin expressed his frustration, calling the rule behind Embolo’s sending-off “unacceptable” after the loss denied his team a historic semi-final berth.
“It destroyed our game today. We have to accept it, but it’s painful to lose that way,” Yakin said.
Argentina went on to pull off a comeback win against England in the semi-finals, but lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time in the final as they failed to defend the title they won in 2022.
The final was also marred by controversy, with Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez sent off in the closing minutes of normal time.
Ferran Torres then scored the winning goal for Spain in extra time, before there were violent scenes at the final whistle, with Paredes throwing Gavi to the floor.
