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SportsIFAB Admits World Cup Refereeing Blunder: Embolo Should Not Have Received Yellow-Red Card
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The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has admitted a serious refereeing error during the 2026 World Cup quarterfinal between Argentina and Switzerland. Swiss striker Breel Embolo was shown a yellow-red card for diving in the second half, a decision that changed the course of the match. Argentina went on to win 3-1 after extra time. IFAB confirmed that the video assistant referee (VAR) improperly intervened in a factual decision, as the rule allowing VAR to correct mistaken identity does not apply to reviewing yellow cards. The correct on-field decision had been a free kick and yellow card for Argentina's Leandro Paredes. The VAR review led to the reversal, resulting in Embolo's dismissal. FIFA has not yet commented on the admission.
Source report
Kansas City/Zurich – World Cup quarterfinal, Argentina vs. Switzerland, midway through the second half: The Swiss had just equalized through Dan Ndoye and were pushing for the lead. Then Switzerland striker Breel Embolo was sent off – for diving. The game turned, Argentina won 3-1 after extra time. Now it emerges: The yellow-red card was based on an incorrect interpretation of the rules.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the official rule keepers of international football, admitted the serious error. In a letter obtained by The Athletic, specific reference is made to the Embolo case.
Embolo lifts off in the duel with Leandro Paredes (32). Photo: Ashley Landis/AP/dpa
A series of new rules were introduced for the XXL World Cup. Among them, that the video assistant referee may intervene if the wrong player is shown a yellow or red card. However, the rule does not apply to checking or even rescinding yellow cards.
Instead of a Free Kick, Embolo Got Yellow-Red
But in such a case, video referee Guillermo Pacheco (Mexico) intervened. The scene: In the duel between Embolo and Argentina's midfielder Leandro Paredes, the Swiss player went to ground. Head referee Joao Pinheiro (Portugal) decided, despite the dive, on a free kick for Switzerland and a yellow card for Paredes. VAR Pacheco reported in, sent Pinheiro to the monitor – exactly what he should not have done.
Because the scene is actually a matter of factual decision. Since Paredes committed the foul and also saw yellow (there was no mistaken identity of the player), the card should not have been reviewed. Through the intervention of the video referee, the situation was completely reinterpreted. A foul became a dive. In the end, the correct decision – but triggered by a process that the football rules do not provide for.
With fatal consequences for the Swiss: Embolo was sent off, Argentina benefited, scored two more goals and advanced to the World Cup semifinals. The official rule keepers have now admitted the mistake. A statement from FIFA was initially not forthcoming.
Source
BILD - SportWestern
Part of this Story
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