Embolo's sending-off in World Cup quarter-final against Argentina was wrong, IFAB says

Soccer's law-making body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), has stated that Swiss forward Breel Embolo was wrongly sent off during the World Cup quarter-final match against Argentina. The incident occurred in the second half when the game was tied 1-1.

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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 offence that was penalised; the offence itself cannot be reviewed / changed.

Embolo was shown a second yellow card for simulation after going down following a challenge by Argentina's Leandro Paredes. Initially, the referee booked Paredes, but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervened, informing the referee that Paredes had not committed a foul. Consequently, the referee booked Embolo instead.

IFAB clarified that while VAR can be used to correct mistaken identity, where the wrong player is booked, it cannot be used to review the offense itself. The board stated that a yellow card, unless it's a second yellow, can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the offense, not to change or review the offense. The use of the mistaken identity clause to address simulation during the World Cup was an experimental measure.

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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's coach, Murat Yakin, had previously described the rule leading to Embolo's dismissal as "unacceptable," expressing his pain over the loss that prevented Switzerland from reaching the World Cup semi-finals for the first time. Argentina went on to win the final against Spain.

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