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Rabat – Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin has continued his criticism of the officiating following his team’s World Cup quarterfinal elimination against Argentina.
Switzerland lost 3-1 in extra time in Kansas City, but Yakin believes the result was heavily influenced by the referee and the Video Assistant Referee.
“We did not only play against a great Argentina team and the world champions,” Yakin said. “We also played against around 70,000 Argentine supporters, the referee and VAR. That was simply too much.”
The Swiss coach said his players did not deserve to leave the tournament in such painful circumstances.
“The elimination hurts because we know what we could have achieved,” he added. “We still feel the pain, and we need time to overcome this disappointment.”
Argentina took an early lead through Alexis Mac Allister in the 10th minute, but Switzerland responded strongly after the break.
Dan Ndoye equalized in the 67th minute, and Yakin’s team appeared to have gained control of the match. Five minutes later, however, Breel Embolo was dismissed after receiving his second yellow card.
Portuguese referee João Pinheiro initially booked Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes for bringing down Embolo.
After a lengthy VAR review for mistaken identity, the referee cancelled Paredes’ yellow card and instead booked Embolo for simulation. As the Swiss striker had already been cautioned in the first half, he was sent off.
FIFA’s mistaken-identity protocol allows VAR to intervene when officials caution or dismiss the wrong player.
The review concluded that Embolo had not been fouled and had attempted to deceive the referee.
Yakin calls decision ‘unacceptable’
Yakin strongly disagreed with the ruling and argued that the referee should simply have allowed play to continue.
“There was no reason to show a yellow card,” he said. “It was a harmless situation. He should have let the game continue.”
“We were punished because of a rule that, in my opinion, is completely unacceptable,” he added. “I do not understand it. This rule has nothing to do with football, and it destroyed our match.”
Yakin also defended Embolo, who left the pitch in tears after being shown the red card.
“I do not blame him,” the coach said. “He is devastated because he could no longer help the team. For me, it was a refereeing mistake.”
Switzerland midfielder Remo Freuler also questioned the VAR intervention and called on FIFA to explain why it became involved in the incident.
Argentina take advantage in extra time
Despite playing with 10 men, Switzerland held Argentina until late in extra time.
Julian Alvarez restored Argentina’s lead with a long-range strike in the 112th minute, before Lautaro Martinez scored the third goal nine minutes later.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged that Embolo’s dismissal helped his team, saying luck was on their side once Switzerland were reduced to 10 players.
The defeat ended Switzerland’s first World Cup quarterfinal appearance since 1954 and denied the country a first-ever place in the semifinals.
Yakin nevertheless said he remained proud of his players after their deepest World Cup run in more than seven decades.
“My players are the real heroes,” he said. “We came back against the world champions, controlled the match and gave everything.”
Argentina will now face England in the World Cup semifinals, while Switzerland return home believing one controversial decision changed the course of their historic campaign.
