Yakin blasts 'unacceptable' mistaken identity rule after Embolo red card ends Switzerland's World Cup

Switzerland manager Murat Yakin launched a fierce attack on football’s new mistaken identity rule after Breel Embolo’s controversial red card contributed to a 3-1 extra-time defeat against Argentina, eliminating the Swiss from the World Cup quarter-finals.

Embolo was shown a second yellow card following a VAR review that overturned an initial caution awarded to Leandro Paredes for a challenge on the striker. Referee Joao Pinheiro reviewed the incident and concluded Embolo had dived, flipping the booking onto the Switzerland forward and leaving his side with ten men at a critical moment.

“The VAR and referee, the fact they introduced such a rule is unnecessary,” Yakin said. “I try to put it in very kind words but I think it is extremely hurtful. We are not going to go to the semi-finals but I think we deserved to be there. We were punished for a rule that is completely unacceptable.”

Switzerland had fought back to level through Dan Ndoye just minutes before Embolo’s dismissal, giving the side genuine momentum. But the numerical disadvantage proved decisive, with Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez both scoring in extra time to seal Argentina’s place in the last four, where they will face England.

Yakin was unsparing in his assessment of the referee’s decision, arguing the original booking of Paredes should never have been made in the first place. “There was definitely no reason to award that yellow card. I don’t understand it — it was a harmless situation, he should have let the ball freely. This rule destroyed our game today.”

Despite the manner of the exit, Yakin refused to direct any criticism toward Embolo. “I don’t blame him at all. That would be absurd. Obviously, he is shattered. He couldn’t help the team today and it hurts him and us. I think it was a referee mistake.”

The defeat ends Switzerland’s deepest run in the World Cup since 1954, when they reached the quarter-finals on home soil. Yakin’s side had been the first Swiss team in 72 years to reach this stage, making the manner of their elimination all the more bitter for a manager who insisted his players “are the real heroes”.