The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has issued formal clarification confirming that Switzerland forward Breel Embolo should not have been dismissed during the World Cup quarter-final against Argentina, acknowledging a misapplication of the video assistant referee protocol. Embolo received a second yellow card for simulation following a VAR review in the 72nd minute, shortly after Switzerland had levelled the match at 1-1. “However, it may not be used as such until that review is concluded,” IFAB, which is based in Zurich, said. Under the current framework, the “mistaken identity” clause exists solely to correct instances in which a card has been issued to the wrong individual – not the player who actually committed the original infringement. IFAB has been conducting a broader review of VAR protocol since March, and confirmed that cases such as Embolo’s dismissal form part of that ongoing assessment.