Embolo Sent Off Amidst Switzerland vs Argentina Quarter-Final
Switzerland were level at 1-1 with Argentina when Breel Embolo became the first player to be dismissed under a new mistaken identity rule implemented at this summer's World Cup.
Embolo, who had received a yellow card in the first half, was shown a second yellow and subsequently sent off in the 72nd minute during Switzerland's quarter-final loss to Argentina. The second caution was for simulation.
The initial booking was given to Argentina's Leandro Paredes for what appeared to be a rough challenge. However, after intervention by the video assistant referee (VAR), referee Joao Pinheiro reviewed the incident on a monitor.
Upon review, the referee determined that Embolo had simulated the foul.
The Swiss forward was visibly upset upon receiving the red card, especially as his team had equalised against the reigning world champions just five minutes prior.
Embolo, aged 29, left the pitch in Kansas City in tears, comforted by his teammates. Despite this, pundits offered limited sympathy.
"I feel for Embolo's team-mates, I don't feel for him. He has cost his team maybe getting through to the semi-finals," said former Major League Soccer striker Bradley Wright-Phillips on ITV.
Jobi McAnuff, a former Jamaica international, added: "Breel Embolo let himself down, he let his team-mates down. Everything looks worse in slow motion and he ends up getting the yellow card for simulation. Maybe he felt the contact was going to come sooner and it didn't. It was simulation but you can't help but feel sorry for him."
Argentina ultimately secured a 3-1 victory over the 10-man Swiss side in extra time. They will face England in the semi-finals, a match to be broadcast live on the BBC.
Explanation of the New Mistaken Identity Rule
FIFA introduced several rule changes for the tournament, including one specifically addressing mistaken identity, requested by Pierluigi Collina, head of referees.
This rule allows officials to amend a booking or sending off if it is later determined that the foul was committed by a different player than initially identified.
In this case, had Paredes not been booked for the challenge, the mistaken identity rule would not have applied and Embolo would have remained on the field.
The rule's first application in the tournament occurred earlier when USA defender Tim Ream was cautioned for a foul on Miguel Almiron. After the free-kick was taken, Dutch referee Danny Makkelie reviewed the incident via VAR and overturned his decision, an action previously not permitted.
Following the review, Makkelie rescinded Ream's yellow card and instead booked Almiron for simulation.
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