In a notable review of recent soccer rulings, IFAB, the International Football Association Board, has provided guidance on the use of video assistant referee (VAR) technology. This review is brought into focus by an incident involving Switzerland’s forward, Breel Embolo, in a World Cup quarterfinal against Argentina.

During the match, Embolo received a second yellow card following a video review for simulating a foul. With the match tied at 1-1 in the 72nd minute, this decision impacted the game’s outcome. Argentina ultimately secured a 3-1 victory in extra time. This red-card decision provoked complaints of referee favoritism towards Lionel Messi’s team. The previous opponent, Egypt, was among those expressing dissatisfaction.

IFAB’s update clarifies that VAR’s current protocol does not extend to incidents like Embolo’s, where ‘mistaken identity’ cases could be reviewed in future competitions. This aspect of VAR is currently limited to correcting instances where a referee mistakenly attributes a card to the wrong player after a foul has been recognized.

Switzerland’s coach, Murat Yakin, voiced his discontent with the referee’s decision, stating, “The referee made the wrong decision. This rule destroyed our game today, and it’s very painful.” According to IFAB, reviews can only adjust mistaken identity by identifying the correct player who committed the penalized offense without modifying the offense itself.

The new guidelines on VAR usage, particularly for simulations, were part of an ongoing review since March. They gained attention following the World Cup in 2026, where new measures were welcomed. IFAB’s annual meeting involves officials appointed by FIFA and the British soccer federations, who meet each February or March to review The Laws of the Game.

Europe’s governing body, UEFA, responded positively to IFAB’s clarifications, advocating for concise video reviews. UEFA emphasized that VAR should not serve as a substitute for refereeing but intervene only when an error is clearly evident. UEFA has aimed to reduce lengthy reviews that arise when decisions on the field are not evidently incorrect.

Furthermore, UEFA supported the rules on cracking down time-wasting during matches, a rule enforced by FIFA during the World Cup. These changes are part of the broader strategy endorsed by FIFA for their effective implementation. UEFA will implement these reforms during this season’s club and national team competitions, including the Champions League, the Nations League, and World Cup qualifiers.

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