Soccer’s law-making body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), has issued a clarification regarding the use of the video assistant referee (VAR) protocol for “mistaken identity” cases. This clarification confirms that Switzerland forward Breel Embolo should not have been sent off during his nation’s World Cup quarter-final match against Argentina.
Embolo received a second yellow card, leading to his dismissal, after a VAR review for simulating a foul in the 72nd minute. This incident occurred shortly after Switzerland had equalized, making the score 1-1. Argentina ultimately won the match 3-1 in extra time.
VAR protocol and mistaken identity
The IFAB’s clarification, published on Monday, stated that the VAR protocol for “mistaken identity” was not applicable to the type of incident involving Embolo at the World Cup. This specific protocol is intended to correct a referee’s decision when a card is shown to the wrong player who did not commit the original foul. However, it does not permit a review or change of the offence itself.
During the match, Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes was initially shown a yellow card after Breel Embolo fell following a challenge. VAR officials then alerted the referee that Paredes had not committed a foul. Consequently, Embolo was shown a yellow card for simulation, his second of the game, resulting in his sending off. The yellow card for Paredes was subsequently overturned.
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin expressed his frustration after the game in Kansas City, stating that the referee made the wrong decision and that the rule “destroyed our game today.” He added that being eliminated in such a manner was very painful.
The IFAB circular emphasized that a yellow card, if not a second yellow, can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the penalized offence; the offence itself cannot be reviewed or changed. While the use of the mistaken identity clause to address simulation during the World Cup was “well received,” the IFAB noted that it cannot be used in this way until a review of the VAR protocol is concluded.
Impact on previous decisions and future use
This clarification also has implications for another instance during the tournament. In the United States‘ group-stage victory over Paraguay, Tim Ream was initially booked for what was perceived as a trip on Miguel Almiron. VAR recommended a review based on “mistaken identity,” leading to the reversal of the decision as Ream had not made contact. Instead, Almiron was booked for simulation.
The IFAB’s guidance means that in both the Embolo and Almiron cases, the VAR advice changed the decision from a foul to simulation, which involved reviewing different, subjective offences. This required the on-field referee to visit the pitchside screen for review.
A review of the VAR protocol has been ongoing since March, and incidents similar to Embolo‘s are part of this process. The IFAB, which includes FIFA-appointed officials and the four British soccer federations, holds annual meetings in February or March to update the Laws of the Game, which then take effect for major tournaments or the subsequent season.
UEFA welcomed the IFAB’s explanations, stressing that VAR is not intended to re-referee the game. UEFA emphasized the need for shorter video reviews and a lighter touch for interventions, setting a standard where VAR should intervene only when a referee’s decision is “blatantly incorrect” or when a “clear incident” has been missed. UEFA also supported the crackdown on time-wasting, a measure agreed upon by IFAB in March and enforced by FIFA at the World Cup.
This season, UEFA will organize various competitions, including men’s and women’s club competitions like the Champions League, as well as national-team games in the men’s Nations League, qualifying matches for the 2028 European Championship, and qualifying playoffs for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Source: sportsnet.ca
