IFAB: VAR 'Mistaken Identity' Clause Does Not Apply to Diving; Embolo's Second Yellow Card Incorrect

Hupu July 28 — The global football rule-making body has stated that the "Mistaken Identity" clause, although used during this World Cup, should not be applied to determine "simulation" behavior.

Explanation and Background of the Mistaken Identity Rule

According to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), VAR can only intervene to correct a "Mistaken Identity" when the referee mistakenly penalizes Player B for a foul committed by Player A when issuing a yellow or red card.

In the context of football rules, this clause applies solely to confirming which player committed the foul (correcting the penalized party) and cannot be used to review or change the nature of the foul itself — for example, it cannot directly change an originally called "opponent's foul" to a "dive" by the player's own team.

IFAB clarified that the "Mistaken Identity" clause only applies to confirming which player committed the foul and cannot be used to review or change the nature of the foul itself (e.g., changing it to simulation). They added that future use of the clause will depend on a comprehensive review of the VAR protocol from this World Cup.

Key Incident: Switzerland vs. Argentina Quarterfinal

According to this latest guidance, Swiss forward Breel Embolo should not have been sent off with a second yellow card in the World Cup quarterfinal between Switzerland and Argentina.

In this World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, several new rules were introduced, granting VAR broader intervention powers, including intervening in cases of "Mistaken Identity" involving yellow and red cards.

According to pre-tournament IFAB regulations, when the referee makes a "clear and obvious error" or a "serious missed incident" (i.e., penalizing the wrong player) when issuing a yellow or red card, VAR — which has independent access to match footage — can assist the on-field referee.

However, this led to confusion about the precise threshold for applying the clause, specifically whether it could be extended to cover "simulation" and thus change the type of foul.

First Use in the Tournament: USA vs. Paraguay

This usage first appeared in the group stage match where the United States defeated Paraguay. At that time, referee Danny Makkelie believed Tim Ream tripped Paraguayan forward Miguel Almirón and showed Ream a yellow card. VAR referee Carlos del Cerro recommended a review based on "Mistaken Identity," and the on-field referee then overturned the original decision (because Ream did not actually make contact with Almirón), instead showing a yellow card to Paraguayan player Almirón for simulation.

Controversial Application: Argentina vs. Switzerland

Another highly controversial use occurred in the quarterfinal between Argentina and Switzerland. Embolo initially won a free kick, and Argentina's Leandro Paredes received a yellow card for the foul. VAR again recommended a review, arguing that Paredes did not make contact with Embolo. After the review, Embolo was deemed to have simulated the fall, receiving his second yellow card of the match and being sent off, while Paredes' yellow card was rescinded.

This decision became a turning point in the match — Switzerland had just equalized to 1-1 only five minutes earlier, and Argentina eventually won 3-1 in extra time.

IFAB's Official Clarification

In a circular issued on Monday, IFAB clarified the VAR protocol regarding "Mistaken Identity," confirming that the original foul type should not be overturned (as in the cases of Almirón and Embolo being penalized for simulation); the clause can only be used when the wrong player is penalized based on the on-field referee's initial decision.

Although IFAB stated that using the clause to retrospectively penalize simulation during the tournament was "well received," it explicitly corrected the following:

"Yellow card warnings, other than for a second yellow card, can only be used to confirm which player committed the penalized foul; the foul itself cannot be reviewed or changed."

"The use of the 'Mistaken Identity' clause to handle simulation during the World Cup was well received and will be included in the detailed review of the VAR protocol announced in Circular No. 32. However, until that review reaches its final conclusion, it should not be used for such purposes again."

In the cases of Almirón and Embolo at the World Cup, the VAR recommendation changed the referee's original call of a "foul" to "simulation," meaning a different subjective foul was reviewed, which must be decided by the on-field referee after personally viewing the replay at the sideline.

Source: New York Times