Switzerland fumes after Breel Embolo red card in World Cup loss to Argentina

[Jilly_in_VA]

Switzerland forward Breel Embolo was sent off in the second half of its World Cup quarterfinal loss to Argentina on Saturday night, a controversial decision following a video review that is certain to fuel those who believe referees have been biased toward the reigning champion throughout the tournament.

Dan Ndoye had just tied the game at 1-all in the 67th minute when Argentina’s Leandro Paredes was shown a yellow card following a tackle on Embolo. But video showed that the Swiss player was falling before Paredes made contact with him, so Embolo was given a yellow card under the “mistaken identity” protocol that’s being used at the World Cup.

Embolo also had received a yellow card earlier in the match, so he was sent off and the Swiss were left to play with 10 men the rest of the way.

Switzerland managed to get the game to extra time, and was trying to survive to a shootout. But then Julián Alvarez scored from long range in the 112th minute, and Lautaro Martínez added another goal a few minutes later, sending Argentina to a 3-1 victory.

“We were punished because of a rule that in my opinion is completely unacceptable,” Swiss coach Murat Yakin said. “It’s very painful that we were eliminated that way. I don’t think we deserve that today, and in my opinion, my boys are the real heroes. They put all their heart and their passion into their performance. I am very proud. They are very proud.”

https://apnews.com/article/argentina-switzerland-red-card-embolo-e110fd06b69d06d2aa75a68b9876627e

I feel pretty much the same way. Ir's not only that it's a weird rule, but that the officials have been biased toward Argentina the entire Cup. Now that Norway's out, Vive La France!

[GreenWave]

1. Don't cry for me Switzerland

The Cup is going as they planned
It might get messy
Just win it Messi...

[lark]

3. Give me France instead!!

[House of Roberts]

2. I've seen replay video repeatedly of both infractions.

The first was clearly a foul, along the lines of a roughing the kicker penalty in US football, when the player has his leg in the air following through on a kick, and is unable to avoid the contact initiated by the offender.
The second was a little more nuanced, but Embolo was going down on his own and kicked Paredes shin with an unnecessary sideways motion after he was already prone. There's a rule against tripping in US football too. It's to reduce lower leg injuries and does not have to be intentional to be called against the offender. Embolo is guilty in both cases.

[Ponietz]

4. Embolo behaved like an idiot end of story

Shameless bitching lowers my estimation of Yakin, the Swiss coach.

[sarisataka]

5. They have no reason to complain

Embolo was off his feet while the Argentine player was still a yard away. After throwing himself to the ground he did a Neymar-esque series of rolls clutching his untouched leg like it had been hit with a sledgehammer.

The simulation was more than worthy of a yellow card. He knew he was already carrying a yellow but took a dive in a situation that would not have been very significant. It was a poor decision on the player's part and it cost his team a potential win.