UEFA tells VAR crews not to conflate diving with wrong player identity

UEFA has issued fresh guidance to its video assistant referees, stressing that suspected diving must not be reviewed under the mistaken-identity pathway. The instruction follows adjustments made to the sport’s VAR framework earlier this summer.

Under the revised protocol, video officials may step in when the on-field referee has punished the wrong player and may overturn a yellow or red card issued in error.

That power has already been applied twice at the 2026 World Cup. In one case, a caution first shown to United States defender Tim Ream was withdrawn and given instead to Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron for simulation.

The same mechanism sparked heated debate in Switzerland’s quarter-final against Argentina. VAR concluded that Breel Embolo had initiated contact in a challenge with Leandro Paredes. Already cautioned, Embolo was shown a second yellow and sent off. Argentina went on to win 3-1 after extra time.