Switzerland forward Breel Embolo walked off the pitch in tears after becoming the first player to be sent off under a new football law that allows referees to correct cases of mistaken identity using video assistant referee (VAR) technology. The rule, introduced by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) ahead of the 2026 World Cup, has already changed the course of matches — and could soon affect games in the Premier League and beyond.
At its simplest, the mistaken identity rule allows a referee to overturn a yellow or red card if it was issued to the wrong player. It is part of a broader set of changes championed by Pierluigi Collina, Fifa's head of refereeing, who specifically requested the rule to ensure that the correct player is punished. Under the rule, if a player is booked or sent off but the foul was actually committed by an opponent, the decision can be reversed — and the correct player can be cautioned instead.
“Explains the new IFAB mistaken identity rule using VAR, seen at the 2026 World Cup.”
The rule came into sharp focus during the World Cup quarter-final between Switzerland and Argentina in Kansas City. With the score 1-1, Argentina's Leandro Paredes was shown a yellow card for what appeared to be a clumsy challenge on Embolo. However, VAR intervened and asked referee Joao Pinheiro to review the incident on the pitchside monitor. After watching replays, Pinheiro decided that Embolo had actually dived, not been fouled. He rescinded Paredes's yellow card and instead showed a second yellow to Embolo, who was already on a booking — resulting in a red card. The Swiss forward was distraught, and his team went on to lose 3-1 after extra time.
This was not the first use of the law in the tournament. Earlier, USA defender Tim Ream conceded a free-kick and was shown a yellow card for what was initially deemed a foul on Paraguay's Miguel Almiron. But after Almiron took the free-kick, Dutch referee Danny Makkelie was sent to the monitor by VAR and overturned his decision — something officials had not previously been allowed to do. Makkelie rescinded Ream's caution and instead booked Almiron for simulation.
Why was this rule introduced? Mistaken identity has been a rare but frustrating issue in football, where the wrong player receives a card due to the speed of the game or a referee's confusion. Previously, VAR could not correct such errors after play had restarted. The new rule closes that loophole. Collina explained that the change ensures "the correct player is punished for the right reason." It applies to both yellow and red cards, and the referee can change a decision even after the next phase of play has begun, as happened in the Ream-Almiron case.
For UK readers, the rule matters because it could be adopted by the Premier League, EFL, and FA competitions. Football's lawmaker IFAB has already approved it for all levels, so domestic leagues may choose to implement it. That means fans might see similar moments at their local club — a player wrongly cautioned, then the mistake corrected minutes later. The decision also highlights how VAR continues to evolve, with an increasing ability to intervene not just on goals, penalties, and straight reds, but also on second yellow cards and simulation.
Q: How does the mistaken identity rule work in football? The rule allows a referee to change a yellow or red card if it was shown to the wrong player. The referee checks the incident on a pitchside monitor after being notified by VAR, and can then book or send off the correct player instead. The decision can be made even after play has restarted.
Q: Why was the mistaken identity rule introduced? It was introduced to ensure fair play and correct officiating errors. Pierluigi Collina, Fifa's head of referees, championed the rule after instances where players were wrongly punished for fouls they did not commit. The rule allows VAR to correct such mistakes in real time.
Q: Will the mistaken identity rule be used in the Premier League? The rule has been approved by IFAB, football's global lawmaker, so it can be adopted by any league, including the Premier League. While the Premier League has not yet announced its adoption, the rule is likely to be implemented in future seasons as part of ongoing VAR refinements.
What happens next? The rule is already in use at the 2026 World Cup and could be rolled out across other major tournaments and domestic leagues. IFAB will monitor its impact, and potential tweaks — such as clarifying when a referee can stop play to review a mistaken identity — may follow. For now, Embolo's red card stands as a landmark moment, and fans can expect more such decisions as referees get used to the new power.