FIFA issue response to IFAB statement addressing key refereeing error during Argentina World Cup game
FIFA has responded after football’s lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), released a statement clarifying the VAR process, following Switzerland captain Breel Embolo’s sending-off in the World Cup quarter-finals against Argentina.
Embolo received a second yellow card in the 72nd minute of the last-eight clash for simulation, with the score at 1-1 at the time of the decision. The striker fell to the ground under the challenge of Leandro Paredes, who was subsequently shown a yellow card.
However, after a VAR review, the caution was withdrawn and instead handed to Embolo, who received his second yellow card of the match and a resulting red card. This was the first case of a player being sent off due to the ‘mistaken identity’ rule.
Argentina went on to win the match 3-1 and eliminate the Europeans from the tournament.
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On July 28, the IFAB released a statement in which it clarified the guidance surrounding similar incidents for referees, suggesting officials should only change decisions considered to be “blatantly incorrect” after a meeting with all 55 European national football association chief refereeing officers last week.
“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,” the statement read.
“The use of the mistaken identity clause to deal with 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, it may not be used as such until that review is concluded.”
It also states that cases like Embolo’s would no longer warrant a sending-off and that the rule was incorrectly applied during the World Cup.
FIFA respond to IFAB 'mistaken identity' clarification
FIFA responded, claiming its “interpretation” of the mistaken identity law was “consistently applied” during the 2026 World Cup.
A statement released by a FIFA spokesperson read: “There were two instances in which a player was mistakenly identified as having committed a yellow card offence, and the VAR advised the referee to correct the factual error caused by the opponent's simulation.
“The simulation itself cannot be disputed, and it should not result in a disciplinary sanction against an opponent that may then lead to further consequences, such as a sending-off for a second yellow card or a match suspension for accumulated cautions.
“We do not consider this to have been a referee or VAR error, and the decision restored justice. We note IFAB’s comments in its Circular. We have been in contact with them throughout, and they confirmed that this interpretation is valid, that it was well received and that it will form part of the discussion on revisions to the VAR Protocol, as discussed at the last AGM.”
European football’s governing body, UEFA, also released a statement explaining how refereeing chiefs agreed that a return to the philosophy of “minimum interference – maximum benefit” was needed in relation to the use of VAR.
"It was reiterated that, in accordance with protocol, VAR must only intervene in situations of 'clear and obvious' error, ie. when a referee's decision is blatantly incorrect or when the referee has missed a clear incident," UEFA said.
"VAR is not meant to re-referee the game; it is an essential support to the referees, who must remain at the centre of all decision-making.
"Lengthy, microscopic reviews are often a symptom revealing that the decision on the field was not clearly and obviously incorrect, and should therefore be limited."
Luke Davies