Switzerland coach blasts ‘unacceptable’ VAR rule after 3-1 Argentina defeat in World Cup quarter-finals

– Switzerland coach Murat Yakin described the rule behind Breel Embolo’s sending-off as “unacceptable”, after Argentina scored twice in extra time to end the Swiss fairy-tale World Cup run with a 3-1 quarter-final victory on July 11.

The forward was shown a second yellow card for simulation in the 72nd minute, five minutes after Dan Ndoye had cancelled out Alexis Mac Allister’s early opener and with Switzerland carrying the greater threat at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

The referee had initially booked Argentina’s Leandro Paredes, before a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) review established that Embolo had not been fouled.

He was only the fourth player on record to receive a second yellow card for simulation at a World Cup, and the first since Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan in a 3-0 loss to Brazil in 2006.

“There was definitely no reason to award a yellow card,” Yakin, 51, said.

“It was a harmless situation. He should have let play continue.

“We were punished because of a rule that is unacceptable. I don’t understand it. The fact that they intervened unnecessarily is extremely hurtful. It’s a rule that has nothing to do with football.

“It destroyed our game today. We have to accept it, but it is painful to lose that way.”

Switzerland held out until the 112th minute, when Julian Alvarez whipped a superb long-range shot into the top corner, before Lautaro Martinez added Argentina’s third nine minutes later.

The defeat ended Switzerland’s first World Cup quarter-final run since 1954, when they were the hosts, and left them one victory short of reaching the last four for the first time.

Yakin said the dismissal had transformed a match his side had begun to control after recovering from Mac Allister’s 10th-minute opener.

“I would like to praise the entire team because we came back from a goal down against the world champions and we had the momentum,” he said.

“We were dominating and controlling the match, and then we were punished because of a rule that is unacceptable.

“I don’t understand it. My boys are the real heroes.”

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni admitted his side got lucky.

“The truth is that luck was on our side today, because they had a player sent off and that’s when our team started attacking. We have to be realistic,” he said.

Swiss midfielder Remo Freuler also questioned the intervention and called on football’s world governing body FIFA to explain the decision.

“I’m very proud of the team. You could tell that we gave 100 per cent,” he said.

“I don’t understand how VAR can make such a decision, and FIFA has to explain it to us.”

Embolo collapsed in tears after the red card and was consoled by his teammates before leaving the pitch.

Yakin said the 29-year-old was devastated.

“He was fouled many times and he had a few very good moments in this game, but then he couldn’t help the team any more,” the coach said.

“I don’t blame him. Obviously, he is shattered because he could not help the team. It was a refereeing mistake.”

Yakin said he was proud of Switzerland’s performance not only against Argentina, but also throughout a tournament in which they had gone further than any Swiss side in more than seven decades.

“I am very proud, they are very proud,” added the Swiss. REUTERS

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