Overview
- The red card came after VAR told referee João Pinheiro to rescind a yellow for Argentina’s Leandro Paredes and instead book Switzerland’s Breel Embolo for simulation, producing a second yellow and a sending-off.
- In a circular published on July 28, IFAB said a non‑second yellow can only be reviewed to correct a player’s identity and that the offence itself cannot be changed under the current laws.
- IFAB confirmed the booking was a misapplication of the mistaken‑identity process but said match results and the red card cannot be overturned under existing rules.
- The episode follows similar misapplications earlier in the tournament and has fuelled public complaints about refereeing consistency and perceived preferential treatment for Argentina.
- IFAB said the experimental use of the mistaken‑identity clause at the World Cup was well received and will be included in a detailed protocol review that could lead to future rule changes.