ROME (ITALPRESS) – The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has ordered the temporary suspension of a specific interpretation of the VAR protocol used by FIFA during the World Cup. FIFA has acknowledged the decision but maintains that the procedure adopted during the tournament was correct, including the controversial incident that led to the sending-off of Switzerland’s Breel Embolo in the quarter-final against Argentina, officiated by referee João Pinheiro. At the heart of the matter is the application of the “mistaken identity” clause to correct instances of simulation. During the World Cup, VAR intervened on two occasions after the referee had cautioned the wrong player following an act of simulation. In both cases, the referee was advised to review the incident, rescind the card shown to the innocent player, and instead sanction the player who had committed the simulation. The most debated incident occurred during the quarter-final between Argentina and Switzerland. Breel Embolo, who had already been cautioned, simulated a foul in midfield. Initially, João Pinheiro showed a yellow card to Argentina’s Leandro Paredes. However, following a VAR review, the referee corrected the decision, rescinding the caution given to Paredes and showing a second yellow card to Embolo, resulting in his sending-off.
A similar incident had already occurred during the group stage, in the match between the United States and Paraguay. On that occasion, the yellow card shown to US defender Tim Ream was rescinded after VAR identified simulation by Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón. Following these incidents, IFAB issued a circular to the federations stating that this specific application of the rule should not be used in other competitions until the review of the VAR protocol is complete. “The use of the mistaken identity clause to handle cases of simulation during the World Cup was well-received and will be included in the detailed review of the VAR protocol. However, this measure cannot be applied in this manner until the review is finished,” the IFAB circular stated. FIFA subsequently released a statement via its official channels, defending the actions of the referees and the VAR team. “FIFA’s interpretation regarding mistaken identity was applied consistently throughout the World Cup. There were two instances where a player was wrongly identified as the perpetrator of a bookable offense, and VAR advised the referee to correct the factual error caused by an opponent’s simulation,” the international federation explained.
The statement goes on to emphasize that “simulation in itself cannot be challenged and must not result in a disciplinary sanction against an opponent, who could otherwise face further consequences, such as a sending-off following a second yellow card.” Finally, FIFA reaffirmed the correctness of its interpretation: “The decision restored justice,” and the IFAB “confirmed that the interpretation is valid and will be discussed in future revisions of the protocol.”
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
