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IFAB says Swiss striker Briel Empolo’s World Cup dismissal was erroneous
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) issued a statement that the red card shown to Swiss striker Briel Empolo in the 2026 World Cup quarter‑final against Argentina was a mistake. Empolo received a second yellow card in the second half while the score was 1‑1, after the referee João Pinheiro initially booked Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes for a foul. VAR later clarified that Paredes had not committed a foul, but the referee kept the second yellow for Empolo, reducing Switzerland to ten men. IFAB explained that VAR may intervene only to correct an error in identifying the player who receives a card, and cannot review the underlying foul itself. The match, held in Kansas City, United States, ended 3‑1 to Argentina after extra time. Swiss coach Murat Yakin called the decision “unacceptable” and said it destroyed his team’s chances. IFAB said the “error in identifying player” clause was used contrary to current protocol and will be examined in a forthcoming review of the VAR protocol, though any changes will not take effect until formally approved.
Entities
Argentina national football team · Breel Embolo · Breil Empolo · Briél Empolo · FIFA Council · International Football Association Board · João Pinheiro · Kansas City · Leandro Paredes · Murad Yakin · Murat Yakin · Switzerland national football team
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Briel Empolo, a 29‑year‑old Swiss striker, received a second yellow card in the second half when the score was 1‑1. lakome2.com · www.enikos.gr · www.metrosport.gr · www.alaraby.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] The use of the “error in identifying player” provision in Empolo’s case was not permitted under current VAR protocol. lakome2.com · www.enikos.gr · www.metrosport.gr · www.alaraby.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] The match took place in Kansas City, United States. lakome2.com · www.enikos.gr · www.metrosport.gr · www.alaraby.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] VAR can intervene to correct an error in identifying the player who receives a card, but cannot review the underlying foul. lakome2.com · www.enikos.gr · www.metrosport.gr · www.alaraby.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] Argentina won the match 3‑1 after extra time, with Switzerland playing with ten players. lakome2.com · www.enikos.gr · www.metrosport.gr · www.alaraby.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] IFAB will review the VAR protocol for such cases, but any changes will not be implemented until formally approved. lakome2.com · www.enikos.gr · www.metrosport.gr · www.alaraby.co.uk
- [DISPUTED] IFAB stated that the dismissal of Briel Empolo in the quarter‑final versus Argentina was erroneous. lakome2.com · www.enikos.gr · www.metrosport.gr · www.alaraby.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] Swiss coach Murat Yakin called the dismissal “unacceptable” and said it destroyed his team's chances. lakome2.com · www.enikos.gr · www.metrosport.gr · www.alaraby.co.uk