UEFA Tightens VAR Rules on Mistaken Identity After World Cup Disputes

UEFA has issued fresh instructions limiting how Video Assistant Referees apply the mistaken identity procedure after contentious incidents at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The directive says VAR officials must not rely on that process to sanction footballers for simulation. It follows reviews in which yellow cards were transferred to players judged to have dived instead of being fouled.

A major flashpoint occurred during Switzerland's quarter-final with Argentina. Switzerland went down to 10 players when a review produced a second booking for a Swiss player, leading to the player's dismissal.

Under UEFA's clarification, the rule should identify which player committed an offence and must not become a mechanism for punishing simulation.