Swiss forward Breel Embolo made tournament history by becoming the inaugural player sent off due to the World Cup’s new mistaken identity regulation. The incident occurred during the quarter-final match against Argentina, which saw Switzerland eventually fall 3-1 in extra time.
Embolo, who had received an earlier booking, was dismissed in the 72nd minute after a video assistant referee review determined he had dived. Initially, referee Joao Pinheiro had cautioned Argentina’s Leandro Paredes for the challenge, but the review process identified the foul as simulation by the Swiss player. Under current FIFA protocols, officials can rectify disciplinary actions if a booking or red card was erroneously applied to the wrong individual or if the initial assessment of the foul was factually incorrect based on the opposition’s actions.
The 29-year-old attacker was visibly emotional while leaving the pitch in Kansas City. While some commentators expressed empathy for the situation, others, such as former player Bradley Wright-Phillips, criticized Embolo for hindering his team’s advancement to the semi-finals. Argentina will move on to face England in the next round.
