IFAB: The sending off of Switzerland's striker in the match against Argentina was incorrect

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) stated on Tuesday that Swiss striker Breel Embolo should not have been sent off in the World Cup round-of-16 match against Argentina held this month.

Embolo received a second yellow card in the second half when the score was 1-1. Argentina scored two goals in extra time to win 3-1 against Switzerland, which played with ten players in Kansas City.

The 29-year-old striker fell to the ground following a challenge from Leandro Paredes. Referee João Pinheiro initially showed a yellow card to the Argentine midfielder. However, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) informed the referee that Paredes had not committed any foul, leading Pinheiro to issue a yellow card to Embolo for simulation.

The IFAB clarified that while VAR can intervene in cases of mistaken identity when issuing a card to the wrong player, it cannot be used to review the foul itself.

It stated: “A yellow card (warning) that is not a second yellow can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the foul for which he was penalized; the foul itself cannot be reviewed or changed.”

“The use of the mistaken identity provision to address simulation during the 2026 World Cup was widely praised and will be included in the detailed review of the VAR protocol... However, it cannot be used in this manner until that review is completed.”

Switzerland coach Murat Yakin described the rule used to send off Breel Embolo as “unacceptable” following the loss that prevented his team from reaching the World Cup semifinals for the first time.

Yakin said, “Our match today was ruined. We have to accept it, but it is painful to lose in this way.” Argentina, the defending champions, lost the final to Spain.