Soccer’s law-making body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), has clarified that Switzerland forward Breel Embolo should not have been sent off during his side’s 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final against Argentina.

Embolo received a second yellow card in the 72nd minute after a VAR review ruled he had simulated being fouled by Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes. The dismissal came shortly after Switzerland equalised at 1-1, and Argentina went on to win 3-1 after extra time.

The decision sparked widespread criticism, with Switzerland arguing the red card changed the course of the match.

The FIFA-backed rules panel known as the IFAB published a clarification that VAR protocol for “mistaken identity” cases was not eligible for that type of incident at the World Cup, though it could be in future competitions.

In a clarification issued on Monday, IFAB said the VAR “mistaken identity” protocol was incorrectly applied. Under the current Laws of the Game, the protocol can only be used to identify the player who committed an offence, not to review or change the offence itself.

“The referee made the wrong decision,” Switzerland coach Murat Yakin said after the match.

IFAB noted that while expanding the protocol to cover incidents like simulation is under review, such a change has not yet been approved.

The clarification comes after complaints during the World Cup that Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, had benefited from several key refereeing decisions. (Newswire)

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