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UEFA has instructed its Video Assistant Referees, VARs, not to use the mistaken identity protocol to punish players for simulation, following controversial incidents at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The call comes after VAR reviews led to yellow cards being reassigned to players deemed to have dived rather than been fouled.
One of the most debated moments saw Switzerland reduced to 10 players in their quarter-final against Argentina after a VAR review resulted in a second yellow card and the dismissal of a Swiss player.
UEFA's guidance aims to ensure the mistaken identity rule is only used to identify the correct player responsible for an offence, not to penalise simulation.