IFAB clarifies VAR error in Embolo’s World Cup red card incident
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has clarified that Switzerland striker Breel Embolo should not have been sent off during the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final match against Argentina. The organization, which governs the Laws of the Game, issued a circular confirming that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol was misapplied in the incident.
According to reports, IFAB stated that a yellow card, which is not a second yellow, can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the foul, but the foul itself cannot be reviewed or modified. This clarification indicates that VAR could intervene in cases of error over the identity of a cautioned player, but not to reverse the sanction, especially in simulation situations.
Embolo’s Sending-Off and VAR Intervention
In the match played on July 11 in Kansas City, referee Joao Pinheiro initially booked Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes for a challenge on Embolo. VAR subsequently intervened, prompting Pinheiro to review the incident on the pitchside monitor. Following the review, Pinheiro cancelled Paredes’ yellow card and instead cautioned Embolo for simulation, leading to his sending-off for a second yellow card.
Pinheiro later explained that the officiating team initially interpreted that an Argentine player had committed an offense worthy of a booking. However, a review of the play showed no foul and indicated that the opponent had simulated the contact. He noted that since it was Embolo’s second yellow, it resulted in a sending-off, and if it had been the first, the decision would have been the same.
The decision to send off Embolo drew criticism from Switzerland coach Murat Yakin at the time, who described the rule application as having “destroyed the game.” Embolo reportedly left the field in tears after the dismissal.
Referee’s Dialogue with Messi
The match also featured a discussion between Pinheiro and Lionel Messi. Cameras captured Messi asking the referee to speak to him properly and avoid disrespect. Pinheiro downplayed the exchange, stating it was not an exceptional situation.
He explained that Messi, like other captains, raised issues with him, and the new rules allow for such dialogue. Pinheiro believes that Messi’s name amplified what was a routine exchange on the pitch, noting that situations involving players like Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo are often viewed differently.
The referee views these conversations as healthy dialogues that can help control matches without constantly resorting to cards. He suggested that Messi might have misinterpreted something he did, but they talked, understood each other, and moved on. Pinheiro also expressed gratitude for his participation in the World Cup, which marked the return of a Portuguese refereeing team to the final stage after twelve years.
IFAB’s Clarification on VAR Protocol
The IFAB clarification makes it clear that officials should not have reversed the original sanction because there was no genuine error in identifying the player who had been cautioned. The error made by VAR and the referee was that they should not have reversed the initial decision, as there was no mistake regarding the identity of the player being sanctioned.
The clarification appears in IFAB Circular No. 34, which explains the intended application of the new VAR protocol. It states that a yellow card, if not a second yellow, can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the offense that was penalized, and the offense itself cannot be reviewed or changed. This reinforces the argument that Embolo’s dismissal was incorrect because, under the wording of the law at the time, simulation did not fall within the scope of the mistaken identity review.
IFAB has since suspended the use of VAR for reviewing simulation incidents until a more comprehensive review has been completed. The organization indicated that the protocol could eventually be expanded to cover simulation, but only after the law has been formally rewritten to include that scenario.
This episode adds to ongoing debates about the expanded powers of VAR during the 2026 tournament and the consistency of its application in high-stakes matches. Officials reiterated that, under the VAR protocol, video review should only intervene in cases of a “clear and obvious” error, where the referee’s decision is clearly incorrect or when an obvious incident has been completely missed, as discussed at a meeting of refereeing officials from UEFA’s 55 member associations.
Source: marca.com
