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Football’s law-making panel clarified its guidance to the referees, who confirmed that Swiss striker Breel Embolo should not have been sent off in the World Cup quarter-final against Argentina.
Embolo’s second yellow card, following a video review for simulating being fouled, changed the momentum of the game in the 72nd minute shortly after Switzerland had leveled at 1-1.
Argentina won 3-1 in extra time with the help of a red card decision that prompted complaints, including from former opponents Egypt, the referees favored Lionel Messi’s side with decisions.
The FIFA-backed rules panel known as IFAB published a clarification on Monday that the VAR protocol for cases of “mistaken identity” was not eligible for those types of incidents at the World Cup, although it could be in future competitions.
“However, it must not be used as such until that review has been completed,” the Zurich-based IFAB said in a statement.
Embolo fell to the ground after being challenged by Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes, who was shown a yellow card.
The VAR officials pointed out to the referee that Paredes did not commit a foul and instead Embolo received a yellow, his second, and was sent off.
This is not how “mistaken identity” is currently intended to be used, which is to correct the referee when a card is shown to the wrong player who did not commit the original foul that was penalized.
“The referee made the wrong decision,” Swiss coach Murat Yakin said after the game in Kansas City. “I know they want to protect their referee, but this rule ruined our game today and it’s very painful and it hurts a lot to be eliminated like that.”
The IFAB clarified that the card “can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the offense that was penalized; the offense itself cannot be reviewed/changed.”
Update of the VAR protocol
A review of VAR protocol has been underway since March and the IFAB has acknowledged that incidents such as Embolo’s are part of it.
“The use of the mistaken identity clause to deal with simulation during the FIFA World Cup 2026 was well received,” the Zurich-based group said.
The IFAB is made up of officials appointed by FIFA and the four British Football Associations. Its annual meeting is every February or March to update The Laws of the Game that come into effect for major tournaments or the next season.
European football wants a lighter touch VAR
The IFAB clarity was hailed on Tuesday as “welcome explanations” by UEFA, which has hosted refereeing bosses from each of its 55 member associations to reset their decision-making principles for the new season.
“VAR is not intended to re-refer the match,” UEFA stressed, stressing the need for shorter video reviews and a lighter touch to intervene.
FIFA’s overall VAR strategy for the World Cup was praised after a frustrating season with video reviews, particularly in the Premier League.
“Long, microscopic reviews are often a symptom that reveals that the decision on the pitch was not clearly and obviously wrong and should therefore be limited,” UEFA said, setting a standard for intervention at “when a referee’s decision is clearly wrong or when the referee has missed a clear incident.”
UEFA also called for a crackdown on time-wasting in games agreed by the IFAB in March and enforced by FIFA at the World Cup.
“Referees will be instructed to strictly and consistently enforce the new rules,” UEFA said.
This season, UEFA will organize men’s and women’s club competitions, including the Champions League, plus national team matches in the men’s Nations League and qualification for the European Championship in 2028 and qualification play-offs for the Women’s World Cup in 2027.
Report from the Associated Press.
