Breel Embolo was in tears as he walked off the pitch moments after Switzerland’s 67th-minute equalizer against Argentina in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal.
What happened?
The Swiss No. 7 received a red card following a controversial VAR decision. The referee initially showed a yellow card to Argentina’s Leandro Paredes for a challenge on Embolo. However, upon VAR review, officials determined Embolo had simulated the fall. Paredes' yellow was rescinded, and Embolo was shown a second yellow and sent off.
Furious fans cry rigged
Close-up videos of the gameplay took social media by storm. Many accused the referee and FIFA of bias toward defending champions Argentina, while others criticized Embolo's simulation as a “horrific decision” in such a crucial moment.
{{/usCountry}}Close-up videos of the gameplay took social media by storm. Many accused the referee and FIFA of bias toward defending champions Argentina, while others criticized Embolo's simulation as a “horrific decision” in such a crucial moment.
{{/usCountry}}A user on X shared the slowed-down video of the collision between Embolo and Paredes and wrote, “Hm this definitely is not a foul by Embolo fifa is rigged isnt it?”
Another football fan, Nick Rodecap, wrote, “I've lost all respect sorry this is absolutely rigged for money... Or ratings in not sure which. I won't be silent. Just saw it live sry. Seriously though, it’s so obvious that FIFA is in Argentina’s pocket. What a joke.”
Some users online called the play a script and wrote, “FIFA script: Give Argentina a yellow to “dispel” rigged accusations.”
After seeing the footage, the internet was divided, with some users criticizing Embolo's "fake fall." A user wrote, "I mean I'm sorry. Take all your "rigged in favor of Argentina stuff" that is blatant simulation by Embolo. It's horrible to happen in such a huge moment but it's also a horrific decision on his part to go down in that way. If he isn't on a yellow we all call for a booking."
Another user wrote, “Embolo in tears but if he doesn’t exaggerate that fall, Paredes isn’t yellow carded and subsequently there’ll be no need for a VAR review for mistaken identity.”
Some users criticized Embolo's crying and wrote, “Why’s Embolo crying after getting a second yellow even though in VAR it was a very very clear dive such clowns man; They’ll now cry that a Portuguese referee favoured Argentina now.”