The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has acknowledged that Switzerland forward Breel Embolo should not have been sent off during his side’s 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina.
Embolo was shown a second yellow card in the second half of the last-eight clash in Kansas City with the score tied at 1-1.
Reduced to 10 men, Switzerland eventually fell 3-1 after Argentina scored twice in extra time to book a place in the semi-finals.
The controversial incident occurred when Embolo went to ground following a challenge from Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes.
Referee João Pinheiro initially cautioned Paredes for the challenge.
However, after consulting the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the referee reversed his decision, concluding there had been no foul by Paredes.
Embolo was instead booked for simulation, resulting in a second yellow card and his dismissal.
In a circular released on Tuesday, IFAB clarified that VAR should not have been used in that manner.
According to the game’s law-making body, VAR may only intervene in yellow-card incidents involving mistaken identity—not to reassess whether the offence itself occurred.
IFAB explained that while officials welcomed the use of the mistaken identity provision during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the protocol has not yet been formally amended to permit reviews of simulation offences that lead to yellow cards.
Until that review is completed, such interventions remain outside the VAR protocol.
Following Switzerland’s elimination, head coach Murat Yakin strongly criticised the decision, describing the rule as unacceptable.
“It destroyed our game today. We have to accept it, but it’s painful to lose that way,” Yakin said.
Argentina progressed to the final but were beaten by Spain, who lifted the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy.
