Mistaken identity led to some discussions during the 2026 World Cup. The new wording in the VAR Protocol caused referee Danny Makkelie to change a yellow card for USA player Ream into a caution for diving for the opponent. And João Pinheiro whistled for a foul by Argentian player Paredes, but after a VAR review the Swiss Embolo was sent off with a 2nd caution. Is this how it should have worked? No, says the law governing body IFAB in their latest circular. FIFA’s interpretation was broader than meant to be. But IFAB also admits the way it was handled was “well received”. They’ll take this new approach into account, but until a further VAR Protocol review, the mistaken identity rule should not do it like how they did it at the World Cup. So up to then, “mistaken identity” can only be used to identify the player who committed the offence that was penalised. “The offence itself cannot be reviewed/changed.” Below you read more about the 2 World Cup situations and unique situations when a yellow card can be rescinded for “mistaken identity”. The World Cup situations A world premiere was the situation when Dutch referee Danny Makkelie cautioned Tim Ream from the United States. Video referee Carlos del Cerro Grande called him to the screen as the Spanish VAR saw that Miguel Almirón clearly dived. The reason for the intervention was mistaken identity. In the video below from Refsix you can see an explanation of how this went.
2nd yellow Embolo for mistaken identity The mistaken identity was used twice as reason to change a decicion at the World Cup. The 2nd time was when Leandra Paredes was booked by João Pinheiro. After a review bij VAR Guillermo Pacheco the Portugese referee went to the screen. The outcome now was even bigger, because Swiss player Breel Embolo already received a yellow card earlier that game. He had to leave the pitch with a 2nd yellow card on his name. You can see the full clip at FIFA’s YouTube starting at 36 seconds IFAB’s explanation of mistaken identity IFAB has published a circular to explain law changes just before the start of the new season. It should help to clarify a few things. One topic that is discussed is the mistaken identity situation: “A yellow card (caution) which is not a second yellow card can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the offence that was penalised; the offence itself cannot be reviewed/changed.” Concrete examples: Allowed: You punish a tackle with a yellow card for number 7. Video footage shows it was actually number 10, therefore the yellow card is changed to a team-mate. Same offence, but different player. Not allowed: you punish a tackle, then review diving. Different offences then. The use of the mistaken identity clause to deal with simulation during the FIFA World Cup2026™ was well received and will be included in the detailed review of the VAR protocolannounced in circular no. 32. However, it may not be used as such until that review isconcluded. Unique situations to rescind a yellow card In IFAB’s online presenatation on the law changes there are also a few unique situations. These were actually the situations the law changes were meant for. In one of the situations a defender gets punished for handling the ball. If you then look closely at the video footage, the ball touched the arm of the attacker. In situation 2 the referee whistled for a “step on foot”. After re-watching the clip you could see the player who was punished was actually the person whom’s foot was below the other player’s foot. In both of these cases the offence is the same, but by the opponent. In the end the handball (situation 1) or the step on foot (2) was judged and the card would have been rescinded based on the new text in the VAR protocol.
Continue reading...
Continue reading...
