The International Football Association Board (IFAB), football’s law-making body, has officially confirmed that the second yellow card issued to Switzerland forward Breel Embolo during the World Cup quarter-final against Argentina was an error. This highlights a misapplication of VAR protocol during the tournament.
The incident occurred in the 72nd minute of the quarter-final match, with the score level at 1-1. Embolo, a former Bundesliga striker, received a second yellow card, leading to his dismissal. However, according to IFAB, the correct application of rule adjustments introduced for the World Cup should have prevented this.
VAR Protocol Misapplication
The error stems from the interpretation of VAR intervention in yellow card incidents. IFAB had introduced a change before the World Cup allowing VAR to intervene in such cases, but this applies only to instances of mistaken identity. This means if the referee had shown the yellow card to the wrong player. VAR is not permitted to question the on-field referee’s decision to show a yellow card itself.
In Embolo’s case, he challenged Argentina’s Leandro Paredes near the centre circle. Referee Joao Pinheiro initially gave a foul and showed Paredes a yellow card. VAR assistant Guillermo Pacheco intervened, sending Pinheiro to the monitor. After reviewing the footage, the decision was reversed: no yellow for Paredes, but instead a second yellow and red for Embolo, who then left the pitch.
IFAB clarified that a yellow card that is not a second yellow card can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the offence. The offence itself cannot be reviewed or changed. Therefore, under the correct interpretation of the law, Pinheiro’s initial decision should have stood, as Paredes was the correct player, even if the foul and yellow card were factually incorrect. VAR should not have intervened, and Embolo should have remained on the pitch.
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin expressed strong disapproval of the rule that led to Embolo’s sending-off, calling it ‘unacceptable’ and stating it ‘destroyed our game’. He noted that Switzerland had momentum after Dan Ndoye’s equalizer, but being reduced to 10 men significantly impacted their performance. Argentina eventually won the match 3-1 after extra time.
Other Controversial Incidents
This incident was not the only controversial moment involving VAR and yellow cards during the tournament. In a group-stage match between co-hosts the USA and Paraguay, referee Danny Makkelie cautioned USA defender Tim Ream with a yellow card for an alleged foul on Miguel Almiron. VAR wrongly intervened, leading Makkelie to withdraw the booking for Ream and instead show Almiron a yellow card for diving. IFAB noted that while the use of the mistaken identity clause for simulation was ‘well received’, it is not yet officially included in the VAR protocol.
Throughout the World Cup, allegations of preferential treatment for Argentina by referees were a recurring theme. In their first group match against Algeria, an incident involving Lionel Messi caused discussion after 30 minutes with the score at 1-0, when he made contact with opposing defender Aissa Mandi. Referee expert Patrick Ittrich commented that, in his view, it warranted a red card.
Following Argentina’s 3-2 win against Egypt in the last 16, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan made allegations of manipulation due to several controversial refereeing decisions favouring Messi and his teammates. Hassan stated, “That was obviously a manipulated match and the whole world saw it.”
Many observers also felt that Argentina’s physical approach was not consistently punished. Despite these controversies, Argentina reached the final, where they were defeated 1-0 by Spain after extra time. After the final whistle, some Argentina players were involved in disturbances, with Paredes reportedly facing a lengthy suspension after altercations with Gavi and Eric Garcia.
IFAB’s circular, issued on July 27, aims to clarify these rules. The body stated that the use of the mistaken identity clause to address simulation during the World Cup was well received and will be part of a detailed review of the VAR protocol. However, it cannot be used in this manner until that review is concluded.
Source: goal.com
