Embolo’s sending off at World Cup was wrong- IFAB

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has determined that Swiss forward Breel Embolo was wrongly sent off during the World Cup quarter-final match against Argentina. Embolo received a second yellow card for simulation, a decision that ultimately contributed to Switzerland's 3-1 defeat in extra time.

During the second half, with the score tied at 1-1, Embolo went down following a challenge by Argentina's Leandro Paredes. The referee initially booked Paredes, but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervened, suggesting Paredes had not committed a foul. The referee then booked Embolo for simulation instead.

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A yellow card (caution) which is not a second yellow card can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the offense that was penalized; the offense itself cannot be reviewed / changed.

IFAB clarified in a recent circular that while VAR can be used to correct mistaken identity, identifying the wrong player being booked, it cannot be used to review the offense itself when it is not a second yellow card offense. "A yellow card (caution) which is not a second yellow card can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the offense that was penalized; the offense itself cannot be reviewed / changed," IFAB stated.

Switzerland's coach, Murat Yakin, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the ruling, calling the rule behind Embolo's sending-off "unacceptable." He lamented that the decision "destroyed our game today" and was painful, despite their need to accept the outcome. The incident occurred in Kansas City, where Argentina advanced to face Spain in the final.

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It destroyed our game today. We have to accept it, but it’s painful to lose that way.