Uefa has instructed its Video Assistant Referees that they must not treat potential simulation as a case of mistaken identity, despite how the technology was utilized during the 2026 World Cup. The International Football Association Board updated the VAR protocol this summer, allowing officials to intervene if a referee incorrectly identifies the player responsible for an infringement. This was previously used to overturn decisions in favor of Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron and against Switzerland’s Breel Embolo, sparking both interest and confusion among domestic leagues.
European football’s governing body maintains that mistaken identity should be restricted to purely factual errors that do not require an on-field monitor review. They argue that identifying a dive is subjective and fundamentally different from factual identification errors. Consequently, Uefa has clarified that it will not adopt the World Cup’s interpretation, which allowed officials to scrutinize bookings for diving. Domestic leagues are expected to follow this lead, focusing only on factual reviews to avoid potential chaos and added pressure on match officials.
