The Incident That Cost Switzerland a Semi-Final Place

Switzerland’s World Cup run ended in contentious fashion when forward Breel Embolo was sent off for simulation during their quarter-final against Argentina. With the score 1-1 in the second half, Embolo fell after a challenge from Leandro Paredes; the referee initially booked Paredes, but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervened to say Paredes had not committed a foul. The referee then cancelled Paredes’ yellow card and instead showed Embolo a second yellow for diving, reducing Switzerland to ten men for extra time. Argentina scored twice in the additional period to win 3-1 in Kansas City.

Days later, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) issued a circular stating the decision was wrong. Under the current VAR protocol, the system can only be used to correct mistaken identity – for example, if the wrong player had been booked – but the offence itself cannot be reviewed. In this case, the VAR review should not have led to Embolo being cautioned for simulation.

What IFAB’s Clarification Means for the VAR Protocol

IFAB’s Rulebook and VAR’s Limitations

The IFAB circular clarifies that a yellow card which is not a second yellow can be reviewed only to identify the player who committed the penalised offence – not to change the nature of the foul. The specific “mistaken identity” clause was never designed to re-evaluate an incident like this, meaning the VAR’s intervention fell outside the approved protocol. IFAB noted that the use of the clause for simulation cases would be examined in a future review of VAR rules but cannot be applied until that review is complete.

Switzerland’s Frustration and the Match’s Turning Point

Coach Murat Yakin described the rule that led to Embolo’s dismissal as “unacceptable”, adding that it “destroyed our game today”. The sending-off undoubtedly shifted the momentum: Switzerland, who had been competitive until then, conceded twice in extra time while a man down. The incident leaves the Swiss side with a deep sense of injustice and no avenue for appeal, as the result stands.