Switzerland outraged over controversial red card that led to World Cup disaster

It was a “disaster” for Switzerland — and a lifeline for Argentina.Five minutes after Dan Ndoye’s equalizer for the Swiss on Saturday night, Breel Embolo was given a second yellow card for diving.The decision was made after an initial yellow card on Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes, with VAR intervening over an apparent case of “mistaken identity,” and referee Joao Pinheiro ultimately sent off Embolo for simulation.Despite a fairly obvious dive from Embolo, Switzerland players raged at the decision, which ultimately contributed to their 3-1 defeat in extra time.“It’s just a disaster,” Remo Freuler told reporters.“I don’t know what this referee is doing here.

I don’t know, I don’t understand why they call it for a situation like this, because there were many fouls, made also in the first half, maybe he has to also to call them for a yellow card.So I don’t understand.

How can a VAR change a game with this situation?”His teammate Granit Xhaka added that the decision was the sort that can “kill the game.”“I think the red card changed our game,” Xhaka said.“This decision was difficult to accept now after the game because the dressing room was very quiet, disappointed.”Since Embolo was given his second yellow due to the “mistaken identity” protocol, he actually couldn’t have been booked if Paredes hadn’t been shown a yellow to begin with.Switzerland manager Murat Yakin said the rule is “absolutely incomprehensible.”“For a situation where beforehand there should have been yellow cards several times, he gave a yellow card in a situation that, to me, was a harmless foul — or if it was even a foul at all,” Yakin told reporters.

“They protect their referee over a rule that destroyed our game today.That hurts enormously.”Embolo is the first player to be sent off due to the “mistaken identity” rule at this summer’s World Cup.He was seen in tears as he left the field — perhaps for the last time at a ...