Switzerland have reacted with anger after a controversial new FIFA rule on mistaken identity resulted in Breel Embolo being sent off during their World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina. The striker received a second yellow card for simulation following a VAR review, forcing the Swiss to play 67 minutes with ten men before eventually losing 3-1 after extra time in Kansas City.
Controversial Incident Decides Match
The decisive moment came shortly after Switzerland had equalised through Dan Ndoye and appeared to be gaining momentum. Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes challenged Embolo as the forward drove upfield, with referee Joao Pinheiro initially awarding Switzerland a free-kick and booking Paredes. However, VAR Guillermo Pacheco Larios advised the referee to review the incident on grounds of mistaken identity.
Replays showed Embolo had begun to go to ground before contact was made, prompting Pinheiro to overturn Paredes’ booking and instead show Embolo a yellow card for simulation. As the Monaco striker had already been booked during the first half, the decision resulted in a red card, leaving Switzerland a man down. Embolo was visibly distraught and broke down in tears, with team-mates escorting him down the tunnel as the Swiss bench reacted furiously.
Rule Change Sparks Outrage
Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin claimed the intervention had “destroyed” the game. “It’s completely not understandable,” he said. “I know that they will protect their referee, but this rule destroyed the game today. There was definitely no reason to award that yellow card. I don’t understand it. It was a harmless situation. It was decisive for the entire outcome of the match.”
The decision was possible because of an expansion to the definition of mistaken identity introduced by the International Football Association Board ahead of the tournament. Previously, the rule was generally used when a referee had booked the wrong player from the same team. It can now also be applied when one player is shown a card but VAR determines the actual offence was committed by an opponent.
Players and Coach Criticise New Rule
Yakin admitted he had not been aware of the change before the game and questioned why it had been introduced. “This is a rule that, in my opinion, has nothing to do with football,” he said. “The fact they introduced such a rule is unnecessary. It is extremely hurtful.” Midfielder Remo Freuler was equally critical, adding: “It’s just a disaster. I don’t understand how VAR can change a game with this situation. Just let the referee do his job.”
Second Use of Expanded Rule in Tournament
It was the second time the expanded rule had been used at the tournament, following an incident during the United States’ opening game against Paraguay. On that occasion, Tim Ream’s yellow card was overturned after VAR ruled Miguel Almiron had simulated contact, with the booking instead handed to the Paraguay attacker. The latest intervention proved far more significant. Switzerland had just drawn level and were beginning to trouble Argentina, but were forced to play the remainder of normal time and the whole of extra time with ten men. Argentina eventually made their numerical advantage count, scoring twice in extra time to book their place in the World Cup semi-finals and bring Switzerland’s tournament to a controversial end.
