UEFA has instructed its video assistant referees (VARs) not to consider potential simulation as mistaken identity, despite the protocol being used at the 2026 World Cup. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) tweaked the VAR protocol effective this summer, allowing VARs to intervene when a referee incorrectly identifies which team's player committed an offence.

At the World Cup, this was activated twice: first to overturn a yellow card for Tim Ream and switch it to Miguel Almiron for a dive, then to send off Breel Embolo after he initiated contact with Leandro Paredes. While popular with fans, domestic leagues expressed concern about "chaos" at club level, with every yellow card potentially reviewable for simulation.

UEFA believes mistaken identity is purely factual and does not require a monitor review, whereas changing a foul to simulation is subjective. As officials gathered for European qualifying rounds, UEFA directed VARs to use the new law only for true mistaken identity cases. VAR can still intervene for incorrect second yellow cards, straight red cards, or penalties involving simulation.

UEFA also rejected intervening for mouth-covering confrontations, which saw Almiron and Piero Hincapie sent off at the World Cup. A summit of UEFA's 54 member nation head referees next week will discuss VAR use, with domestic leagues expected to follow UEFA's factual-only interpretation.