The quarter‑final clash between Switzerland and Argentina in the 2022 World Cup will be remembered not only for its dramatic extra‑time finish but also for a contentious dismissal that swung the momentum. Breel Embolo’s second yellow card came after a video review that suggested he had simulated a foul by Leandro Paredes. The referee, after consulting the VAR team, showed the Swiss forward his marching orders in the 72nd minute, a decision that many felt altered the course of the game.
Argentina eventually secured a 3‑1 victory, but the red card fueled accusations that the officiating crew was biased toward Lionel Messi’s side. Swiss coach Murat Yakin publicly criticized the call, saying the referee had made the wrong decision.
The Evolving Role of VAR
In response, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) issued a clarification stating that the VAR protocol for ‘mistaken identity’ was not applicable to incidents of this nature at the World Cup. The board explained that such reviews are limited to confirming the player who committed the offense, not to reassess the offense itself.
IFAB, composed of FIFA‑appointed officials and representatives from the four British football associations, noted that the episode forms part of an ongoing review of VAR procedures that began earlier this year. While the current rules allow for a player to be sent off for simulation, the board indicated that future tournaments might see adjustments to the handling of mistaken‑identity scenarios.
The episode underscores the fine line between technological assistance and the preservation of the game’s spontaneity, a debate that will likely intensify as VAR becomes ever more embedded in major competitions.