Breel Embolo sent off in World Cup quarter-final due to mistaken identity rule
Mistaken Identity Rule Leads to Red Card
Switzerland forward Breel Embolo was sent off during his country’s World Cup 2026 quarter-final match against Argentina, becoming the first player to receive a red card under a new mistaken identity rule introduced for the tournament. The incident occurred in the 72nd minute of the game in Kansas City, with the score level at 1-1.
The sequence began when Argentina’s Leandro Paredes was initially booked for a foul on Embolo. However, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervened, prompting referee Joao Pinheiro to review the play at the monitor. Upon review, the official determined that Embolo had simulated a foul, leading to the rescinding of Paredes’ yellow card and a second yellow card for Embolo, resulting in his dismissal.
The 29-year-old Embolo, who plays for French club Rennes, was visibly distraught as he left the pitch in tears, consoled by his teammates. His coach, Murat Yakin, expressed strong disapproval of the decision, stating that there was no reason for a yellow card and describing it as a harmless situation. Yakin criticised the rule, calling it unacceptable and asserting that it destroyed his team’s game.
Impact on the Match and Team Reaction
The red card significantly impacted the quarter-final. With the score tied at 1-1 and less than 20 minutes remaining in regular time, Switzerland was forced to play with 10 men. While they managed to hold the score through the end of normal time, Argentina ultimately secured a 3-1 victory in extra time, advancing to the semi-finals where they will face England.
Swiss players and the bench protested the decision to no avail. Denis Zakaria was reportedly heard pleading with the official not to issue the yellow card to Embolo. Later, during a hydration break in the 75th minute, Granit Xhaka was seen remonstrating with referee Pinheiro over the call. Despite the Swiss team’s strong reaction, some pundits and observers agreed with the decision.
Former Major League Soccer striker Bradley Wright-Phillips commented on the situation, expressing sympathy for Embolo’s teammates but not for the player himself, suggesting Embolo’s actions might have cost his team a chance at the semi-finals. Former Jamaica international Jobi McAnuff added that Embolo let himself and his teammates down, acknowledging the simulation while also expressing some sympathy for the player.
Understanding the New Mistaken Identity Rule
The new rule, specifically requested by Fifa’s head of referees, Pierluigi Collina, addresses situations of mistaken identity. It allows for a decision to be changed if a player is booked or sent off, but the foul was actually committed by an opposition player, or if the wrong player was penalised for an offence.
According to the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which governs the laws of football, mistaken identity occurs when a referee shows a card but has clearly penalised the wrong player for the offence. The new VAR rules enable such issues to be reviewed by the VAR team.
An earlier instance of this law’s application occurred when USA defender Tim Ream was initially booked for a foul on Miguel Almiron. After VAR review, the decision was overturned, Ream’s caution was rescinded, and Almiron was booked for simulation. In Embolo’s case, if Paredes had not been initially booked, the mistaken identity ruling would not have been invoked, and Embolo would have remained on the field.
Referee Pinheiro’s announcement to the crowd after the VAR review confirmed the decision: “After review, there is no foul for No 5 [Paredes], No 7 [Embolo], there is a clear simulation, final decision, yellow card for No 7 [Embolo].”
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Source: bbc.com
