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Embolo red card was wrong: IFAB on World Cup VAR failure
Published : Tuesday, 28 July, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Observer Online Report
Collected Photo
International Football Association Board (IFAB) has issued a clarification on the VAR decision of giving Swiss forward Breel Embolo a red card during their World Cup quarterfinal against Argentina.
IFAB said, Embolo should not have been sent off during that match. ESPN reported.
Previously, he was shown a second yellow, followed by a VAR review. That decision drastically altered the momentum of the match in the 72nd minute, shortly after Switzerland had equalized at 1-1.
However, Argentina made history and secured victory (3-1) in extra time. The contentious expulsion reignited allegations, previously voiced by opponents including Egypt, that referees were biased toward Lionel Messi’s side.
In a statement released on Monday, the FIFA-backed rules body clarified that the VAR protocol governing "mistaken identity" was inappropriately applied in this instance, although the rule may be revised for future tournaments.
"However, it may not be used as such until that review is concluded," the Zurich-based organization stated.
The controversy arose when Embolo went down following a challenge by Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes, who was initially shown a yellow card by the on-field referee.
Upon intervention from VAR officials stating Paredes had not committed a foul, the referee rescinded Paredes' card and instead issued a second yellow card to Embolo for diving, resulting in his dismissal.
IFAB explained that the "mistaken identity" clause is strictly designed to correct instances where a card is mistakenly shown to the wrong player for a penalized foul. It noted that the provision "can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the offense that was penalized; the offense itself cannot be reviewed/changed."
Speaking after the match in Kansas City, Switzerland coach Murat Yakin expressed his frustration over the decision. "The referee made the wrong decision," Yakin said. "I know they will protect their referee, but this rule destroyed our game today, and it's very painful, and to be eliminated in that way hurts a lot."
IFAB acknowledged that a comprehensive review of VAR protocols has been underway since March and that incidents similar to Embolo's are being evaluated.
"The use of the mistaken identity clause to deal with simulation during the FIFA World Cup 2026 was well received," the body added.
-SA
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