UEFA has issued clear directives to its Video Assistant Referees (VARs), instructing them not to interpret potential simulation as a case of 'mistaken identity', a controversial application of the rules witnessed during the 2026 World Cup. This stance clarifies how diving incidents will be handled in European club competitions, departing from the approach taken by FIFA's tournament officials.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) implemented a tweak to the VAR protocol earlier this summer, permitting VAR intervention to change a yellow or red card if the referee had incorrectly identified the player who committed an offence. This new interpretation was notably activated twice at the recent World Cup. One instance involved overturning a yellow card for US defender Tim Ream for a foul, subsequently switching it to Paraguay's Miguel Almiron for simulation. More controversially, Switzerland's Breel Embolo was sent off in a quarter-final against Argentina after a VAR review determined he had initiated contact following a challenge for which Leandro Paredes was initially booked.
While these World Cup decisions were popular with many supporters who felt they demonstrated a commitment to eradicating diving, the interpretation came as a surprise to several domestic leagues. Sources indicated that the use of mistaken identity for simulation had not been previously mentioned and raised significant concerns about the potential for 'chaos' at club level, particularly if every yellow card became reviewable for potential diving. There were also worries about the additional pressure this would place on officials and the creation of a two-tier system where simulation could only be reviewed if a yellow card had already been shown.
As officials gathered for the opening qualifying rounds of European competitions this week, UEFA briefed its VARs that the new law should only be applied in genuine cases of mistaken identity. UEFA believes that mistaken identity is a purely factual decision, such as in the Euro 2016 final example where a booking for handball was incorrectly given to Laurent Koscielny instead of Eder. Changing a decision from a foul to simulation, however, involves reviewing different, subjective offences and necessitates the referee visiting the pitchside monitor, which UEFA argues means it does not constitute mistaken identity.
Despite this, simulation can still be penalised in European matches if it leads to an incorrect straight red card or a penalty. Furthermore, if a player who commits a foul is eventually sent off for two bookings, VAR could intervene on an incorrect second yellow card to address simulation. UEFA will also check incorrect corner decisions, but this will only apply to the last touch and will not extend to potential offside in the build-up, another departure from World Cup practices.