UEFA Rejects VAR Reviews for Diving Despite New IFAB Protocol
European football's governing body will not follow the World Cup approach to using VAR for simulation incidents.
- UEFA instructs VAR officials not to review diving under the mistaken identity rule.
- The updated IFAB protocol was used twice during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- The policy follows controversy over Breel Embolo's red card against Argentina.
UEFA has instructed its video assistant referees (VARs) not to use video reviews to penalize simulation, despite a recent change to the VAR protocol introduced by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).
Under the updated rules, which took effect this summer, VAR can intervene when a referee mistakenly identifies the player who committed an offence that results in a yellow or red card.
The revised protocol was applied during the 2026 FIFA World Cup on two occasions. In one incident, a yellow card initially shown to United States defender Tim Ream was rescinded after VAR determined that Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón had simulated the foul instead.
A more contentious decision came in Switzerland’s quarter-final against Argentina. Midfielder Leandro Paredes was originally booked for what appeared to be a reckless challenge, but a VAR review concluded that Swiss striker Breel Embolo had initiated the contact. As Embolo had already received a yellow card earlier in the match, he was shown a second caution and sent off.
The dismissal came shortly after Switzerland had equalized to make the score 1-1. Argentina went on to win the match 3-1 after extra time.
Despite IFAB’s updated guidance, UEFA has opted not to adopt this interpretation for its competitions, meaning VAR officials will not review incidents of simulation under the mistaken identity provision.
