‘Mistaken identity’ does not include simulation despite World Cup decisions – lawmaker

Global football’s law-making body has said that mistaken identity should not be used in instances of simulation as it was during the World Cup finals.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which determines the laws of the game, clarified that mistaken identity can only be used to identity the player who committed an offence rather than the offence itself being reviewed or changed, as in instances of player simulation. They added that the use of the mistaken identity clause going forward was subject to a review of the VAR protocol at the World Cup.

That guidance would mean that Switzerland forward Breel Embolo would not have been shown a second yellow card in his nation’s World Cup quarter-final loss to Argentina.

This summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico had seen a number of new laws introduced, with the video assistant referees (VAR) given extended powers to intervene. Among the changes was VAR’s ability to step in the cases of mistaken identity on yellow and red cards.

The rules of IFAB said ahead of the tournament that the VAR, who has independent access to match footage, may assist the on-field referee in the event of a ‘clear and obvious error’ or ‘serious missed incident’ in relation to mistaken identity, when the wrong player has been shown a yellow or red card.

That, however, led to some confusion over the precise threshold of that law and whether it could include instances of simulation, resulting in a difference offence being charged.

It was first used in the United States’ group-stage win over Paraguay, when Tim Ream was initially shown a yellow card by on-field referee Danny Makkelie for what was perceived as a trip on Paraguay attacker Miguel Almiron. The VAR Carlos del Cerro recommended a review based on ‘mistaken identity’, with the decision used to reverse the decision as Ream did not in fact make contact with Almiron. Makkelie reversed his initial decision and instead booked the Paraguayan for simulation.

Another high-profile use of ‘mistaken identity’ was used in Argentina’s quarter-final win over Switzerland, when Embolo initially was awarded a free-kick with Argentina’s Leandro Paredes booked for a challenge. Again, the VAR recommended the instance be reviewed as there was no contact from Paredes on Embolo, who was upon review deemed to have dived and was shown a yellow card — his second of the game — and sent off. The yellow for Paredes, meanwhile, was overturned.

Embolo (center) was emotional after his red card (Odd Andersen / AFP via Getty Images)

That proved a pivotal moment in the game, coming just five minutes after Switzerland had made it 1-1 in the last-eight tie, with Argentina going on to win 3-1 after extra time.

In a circular on Monday, the IFAB clarified VAR’s protocol on mistaken identity to confirm the original offence should not be overturned — as it was in the instances of Almiron and Embolo receiving yellows for simulation — and it can only be done so if the incorrect player was penalised based on the on-field official’s initial judgement.

The Athletic has approached FIFA for comment.

This was despite the IFAB stating that its use in retrospectively punishing simulation being “well received” during the tournament.

“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 ruling reads.

“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.”

During the cases of Almiron and Embolo at the World Cup, the VAR advice was changing from the decision of a foul to a decision on simulation which meant reviewing different, subjective offences in which the on-field referee must visit the pitchside screen.