Switzerland star sent off in tears vs Argentina after new Fifa rule used sparking yet more World Cup ‘fixed’ claims

BREEL EMBOLO’s controversial sending off stoked the conspiracy theories surrounding Argentina. In yet another decision favouring the defending champions, Embolo was shown a second yellow card for diving after VAR intervention with 20 minutes to go in the quarter final. Referee Joao Pinheiro initially booked Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes for fouling the Swiss striker. But the VAR team, using powers introduced at this tournament to correct yellow card decisions, called Pinheiro to the monitor. Slow motion clips showed Embolo already on his way down to the ground before hanging out a leg to initiate some contact with Paredes. And the Portuguese official decided Embolo was guilty of simulation. READ MORE As the Swiss team and bench watched in horror, he announced the decision to huge cheers from the Argentinian fans who made up most of the crowd The Swiss were even more furious because the incident came just after Dan Ndoye’s equaliser had cancelled out Alexis Mac Allister‘s first-half goal. When Pinheiro showed Paredes a yellow card after his challenge on Embolo and no-one thought much of it. Until the big screens announced a VAR check for “mistaken identity”. Most read in Sport There was no mistake about the two players involved. WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS But at this World Cup, VAR has the power to intervene if a yellow card is shown to the wrong player. And, unfortunately for Embolo, he had already been booked in the first half, also for a foul on Paredes. Ironically, had the referee NOT booked Paredes for his perceived foul in the first place, then VAR would not have been able to take any action against Embolo. No-one would have complained if the referee had just booked Embolo for diving originally and then sent him off. But for VAR to be intervening left a sour taste in fans’ mouths, especially after seeing Embolo head off the pitch in floods of tears. And you can bet there was more tears for Embolo when his team ended up losing 3-1 after extra time. Goals from Latauro Martinez and Julian Alvarez added to the opener from Alexis Mac Allister. It is the latest in a string of seemingly favourable decisions for Argentina which has seen their treatment by officials come under scrutiny. Egypt had a goal very harshly ruled out during their 3-2 loss for a foul in an earlier phase of play. Then Mohamed Salah felt he was fouled in the penalty box just seconds before Argentina went up the other end and scored the winner. While there have also been some startling stats that show an Argentina player only gets carded once every 20 fouls at this tournament. Before their quarter-final with Norway, England had, by contrast, been afforded just six fouls per booking. Some fans, unsurprisingly, felt that corruption is afoot once more. One X user posted: “The most rigged World Cup since 1966. Officials are a bloody joke.” A second commented: “So corrupt.. same playbook as Egypt.. fifa need the sponsors to have Messi in the final.” But, most people agree that it was indeed a dive. Speaking during ITV‘s coverage of the game, Bradley Wright-Phillips had no doubt. He said: “I feel for Embolo’s team-mates, I don’t feel for him. He has cost his team maybe getting through to the semi-finals.” X largely felt the same. In isolation, it’s hard to think it is anything but simulation. One user wrote: “One of the most obvious and unnecessary dives. I’m still hoping the Swiss can cause an upset tonight but I don’t think there should be any complaints about the red card.” A second posted: “That is an incredibly clear dive. That’s a yellow card, and Embolo only has himself to blame. Switzerland were so on top!” A third commented: “Knowing that any 50-50 decisions will go against them anyway Embolo has let his teammates down badly.”