IFAB admits refereeing error in Embolo's red card against Argentina

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the body that governs football's rules, has indirectly acknowledged a refereeing mistake during the World Cup quarter-final match between Argentina and Switzerland. The incident in question involved the expulsion of Swiss striker Breel Embolo.

Embolo received a second yellow card in the 72nd minute, with the score tied 1-1, for simulation after a challenge with Leandro Paredes. Initially, the referee, Joao Pinheiro, cautioned the Argentine player. However, the VAR intervened, rescinding the card for Paredes and instead issuing a yellow card to Embolo for simulation.

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A yellow card (caution) that does not constitute a second yellow card can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the offense for which the caution was issued; the offense itself cannot be reviewed or modified.

According to IFAB circular number 34, VAR can intervene if there's an error in identifying the player being cautioned. However, the circular explicitly states that VAR cannot be used to review the infraction itself. "A yellow card (caution) that does not constitute a second yellow card can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the offense for which the caution was issued; the offense itself cannot be reviewed or modified," the document explains.

This clarification comes as the IFAB also announced a review of the VAR system ten years after its introduction, aiming to improve its efficiency and fairness. The governing body also noted in a separate circular, number 32, that certain infrequent incidents, such as red cards resulting from a clearly incorrect second yellow, or mistaken identity for a carded player, will become reviewable under VAR protocol.

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red cards derived from a second yellow card shown in a clearly incorrect way, mistaken identity when a yellow or red card is shown to a player, but the offense for which the card was shown was committed by another player of either team.