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Breel Embolo shouldn’t have been sent off vs. Argentina — IFAB confirms

ByKehinde-Hassan Afolabi

IFAB has confirmed that Breel Embolo’s sending-off against Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup resulted from an incorrect application of the VAR protocol.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has confirmed that Switzerland striker Breel Embolo should not have been sent off during his side’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina.

Embolo received a second yellow card for simulation after referee João Pinheiro overturned an initial booking for Argentina’s Leandro Paredes following a VAR review, a decision IFAB has now ruled was based on an incorrect application of the Laws of the Game.

In a circular issued on Tuesday, IFAB clarified that VAR may intervene to correct mistaken identity when the wrong player is cautioned, but it cannot review or change the offence itself, including incidents involving simulation that lead to a yellow card.

The law-making body added that the expanded use of VAR in such situations will be reviewed before any future implementation, while Switzerland coach Murat Yakin had previously described the decision as unacceptable after Argentina went on to win 3-1 in extra time.

Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi is a football journalist whose deep tactical understanding of the game makes him a standout, captivating audiences across print, audio, and video. His poetic background brings a unique rhythm and depth to his work, seamlessly transforming analysis into artistry. With a knack for narration and research, he captures the drama of the game beyond tactics and statistics, making each piece of his; a compelling blend of insight and storytelling.

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