The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has admitted that Switzerland striker Breel Embolo should not have been sent off in his side’s controversial FIFA World Cup quarter-final clash with Argentina.
Ref Wolfgang Stark handed the Switzerland international a second yellow card in the 72nd minute after a VAR review deemed that he had simulated a foul on Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes, with the red card proving a crucial moment as Switzerland had levelled at 1-1 with their opponents. From there, they would concede two more, with Argentina claiming a 3-1 victory in extra time.
Questions have been asked about the decision, with Swiss press calling the card an incorrect judgment that effectively “ruined” the match. There have also been complaints coming from various other teams, with Egyptian officials, for example, complaining that their game against Argentina had been “dictated” by the referee.
However, in a statement released today (Monday), IFAB has stated that a mistaken identity protocol used by referees in this encounter should not have been implemented as, according to the present laws, it is an inappropriate use as per the laws, as and when the right player is booked when an offense has occurred for something else and then not the correct individual is punished.
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin slammed the decision during the post-match conference, and was seen to argue bitterly with officials. “The incorrect application of laws destroyed this match,” he said.
While the football law-making board did appreciate the move to penalise simulation in general via VAR during the tournament in general, they were at pains to stress that it cannot be used unless the laws themselves are amended and that this incident would be one part of their examination of the use of VAR during the event.
