Former referee sounds off on controversial Embolo red card

Switzerland forward Breel Embolo. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Former referee sounds off on controversial Breel Embolo red card

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jul 12, 2026 12:22 PM ET

Another controversial call in Saturday's quarterfinals has some conspiracy-minded fans claiming the 2026 FIFA World Cup is rigged in Argentina's favor. Those claims are unsubstantiated.

In the 72nd minute of Argentina's 3-1 victory over Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, VAR (video assistant review) overturned a yellow card on Argentinian forward Leandro Paredes and ruled that forward Breel Embolo should instead be penalized for flopping. Embolo, who was already playing under a yellow card, then received a red card, forcing Switzerland to field 10 players instead of 11 for the rest of the match.

Swiss coach Murat Yakin said "the referee made the wrong decision" in a postgame news conference. Consider his take as a cry of sour grapes.

Former referee Andy Davies explains why Breel Embolo was red-carded

In a story published Sunday morning, ESPN contributor Davies explained the crew assessed the penalty using the "mistaken identity" rule. This allows officials to rescind a penalty on one player and pass it on to the other. VAR cannot recommend that an athlete be yellow-carded in normal circumstances, but when video evidence shows the wrong one has been punished, an on-field review is recommended so the call can be reversed.

After a VAR review, Embolo is sent off with his second yellow for simulation pic.twitter.com/1ljSIAtVRj
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 12, 2026

"Video evidence of simulation by Embolo in this situation is clear, and once on the screen, the referee agreed with the VAR judgment and sent Embolo off for his second caution," wrote Davies. "Embolo has only himself to blame as this was a clear attempt to deceive the referee into yellow-carding an Argentina player."

Now, was it bad timing for Switzerland? Yes. Forward Dan Ndoye tied the game 1-1 in the 67th minute, giving his side a shot of momentum. After Embolo's ejection, it disappeared. That said, it's on Embolo for flopping at the wrong time, not someone behind the curtain who's trying to pull the strings in Argentina's favor.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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