The International Football Association Board has confirmed that Breel Embolo should not have been sent off during Switzerland's World Cup quarterfinal against Argentina, ruling that the video assistant referee intervened in breach of protocol. Embolo was shown a second yellow card for simulation in the 72nd minute with the score level at 1-1, reducing Switzerland to 10 men before Argentina's 3-1 extra-time victory.
Referee João Pinheiro issued the dismissal after the VAR advised reviewing the incident, simultaneously withdrawing a yellow card originally given to Argentina's Leandro Paredes. However, IFAB clarified that a first yellow card may only be reviewed to identify the player involved, not to reassess the offence itself, meaning the VAR's involvement was improper because the scene did not meet mistaken-identity criteria.
IFAB is now examining whether to expand the VAR protocol to prevent similar errors. Separately, England is trialling a new rule to deter time-wasting through goalkeeper injury treatments.