Embolo sent off under new mistaken identity rule | OneFootball

Breel Embolo has become the first player sent off as a result of the World Cup’s new mistaken identity law.

The Switzerland forward was dismissed in the 72nd minute of his side’s quarter-final defeat by Argentina, in a moment that transformed the contest in Kansas City.

The sequence was extraordinary. Argentina’s Leandro Paredes was initially booked for what appeared a clumsy challenge, before VAR intervened and sent referee Joao Pinheiro to the pitchside monitor. On review, the official judged that Embolo had gone down without any contact being made.

Embolo sent off under new mistaken identity rule

Pinheiro’s verdict was then relayed to the stadium. “After review, there is no foul for number five, number seven, there is a clear simulation,” he announced. Having already been cautioned in the first half, Embolo received a second yellow and was sent off.

The timing could hardly have been crueller. Dan Ndoye had levelled for Switzerland just five minutes earlier, and Murat Yakin’s side were in the ascendancy against the world champions.

Embolo left the field in tears, consoled by Denis Zakaria, while Granit Xhaka remonstrated with the referee during the following hydration break. The law itself is new to this tournament.

Introduced at the request of FIFA’s refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina, it allows a card to be reassigned when the original offence was actually committed by the opposing player. Officials had not previously been permitted to make such a switch.

One detail makes the ruling especially harsh. Had Paredes not been booked in the first place, no review would have been triggered, and Embolo would have stayed on the pitch.

It was the second time the protocol had been used at the tournament, after an earlier incident involving USA defender Tim Ream and Miguel Almiron.

Switzerland, down to 10 men, held out for more than 50 minutes in pursuit of a first World Cup semi-final.

Argentina eventually broke them in extra time, Julian Alvarez striking a superb winner before Lautaro Martinez sealed a 3-1 victory.

The holders now face England in the semi-finals, having needed extra time in three consecutive knockout matches.

Read more – Alvarez stunner sends Argentina through to face England

See Also- England player ratings vs Norway: Bellingham inspires jaded Three Lions to the semis

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