Switzerland boss furious over 'unacceptable rule' after World Cup elimination
· Yahoo Sports
Switzerland fumed at the officials after the country's World Cup dream ended with 10 men against Argentina.
After conceding early to an Alexis Mac Allister header, the Swiss gained momentum and were building pressure when Dan Ndoye converted a 67th-minute equalizer. However, moments later, they were reduced to 10 men as Breel Embolo received a second yellow card for simulation following a challenge from Leandro Paredes.
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Paredes was originally cautioned by referee Joao Pinheiro before VAR stepped in and recommended an on-field review under new rules and guidelines introduced for this World Cup. Video evidence was definitive, and Embolo was left devastated as he was dismissed before Argentina went on to secure a 3-1 victory after extra time, capitalizing on its numerical advantage and setting up an extraordinary next chapter of Lionel Messi's final World Cup story.
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Switzerland midfielder Remo Freuler expressed his anger at VAR's intervention over the incident, saying: "I don't know what this referee is doing here. I don't know, I don't understand why they are calling for a situation like this. "Because there is many fouls, also, maybe first half, you maybe have to call them for a yellow card. So I don't understand. How can VAR change a game with situation? Just let the ref do his thing, you know."
Captain Granit Xhaka was equally displeased with the decision, adding: "The rules are the rules and we can't change them, but it's a decision where you kill the game. That's my opinion. I don't know what else he can do, but just don't kill the game. We were so good in the game... I believed that at 11 v 11 we will have them, but it's very difficult to find the right words after the game."
Switzerland manager Murat Yakin labeled the rule "unacceptable," asserting: "There was definitely no reason to award a yellow card. 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."