Murat Yakin, coach of the Swiss national team, launched a scathing attack after his team was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup in the round of 8 at the hands of Argentina.
The Swiss national team bid farewell to the World Cup at the hands of the defending champions after completing the match with 10 players from the 72nd minute.
Argentina won 3-1 against Switzerland after extra time, in a match that saw Breel Embolo sent off following a video review. (See details of the sending off)
Swiss national team coach Murat Yakin said at the press conference: "It was not necessary to give the yellow card in Embolo's case. There was no justification for that. It is a law that should not exist in a World Cup quarterfinal."
He added, "The fact that they had to correct Paredes' mistake and weaken us is incomprehensible to me."
He continued, "I am not saying they favor Argentina, but football was not on our side; we were punished because of a refereeing error. I did not know this law before. It was a simple situation in which a yellow card was given, then video technology intervened, and it was a decisive moment for us and decisive for the match result."
He concluded, "Introducing this law is completely unnecessary; it is very painful. We deserved to be in the final four."
It is worth noting that the Swiss coach, before the match, refused to blame the refereeing decisions for Argentina's qualification at the expense of the Egyptian national team.
The Swiss coach said at the pre-match press conference: "The statements by the Egyptian coach and players that the referees are helping Argentina? In general, matches are officiated fairly at the moment. And with video technology, everything can be reviewed."
He added, "There is no need to settle everything with words after the match. When you have your chances, you must take them; therefore, everything must be settled on the pitch."
He concluded, "The chance comes during the match itself. As for after it ends, justifying matters or insulting others has nothing to do with fairness."
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Embolo became the first player to receive a second yellow card and then a red card for simulation since the 2006 edition.
Before the World Cup, the Football Council announced 3 amendments in which the video assistant referee is allowed to intervene:
1 A red card resulting from a second yellow card that is clearly wrong.
2 An error in identifying the player when the referee punishes the wrong team for an offense that results in a red card.
3 An incorrectly awarded corner kick.
