Uefa will not use VAR for diving like at World Cup

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Uefa has instructed video assistant referees not to treat suspected diving as a “mistaken identity” matter, distancing European competitions from an interpretation used during the 2026 World Cup. The guidance follows a summer adjustment by the International Football Association Board allowing VAR intervention when a referee has disciplined the wrong player or team for an offence.

At the World Cup, that provision was used in two notable incidents. A booking for United States defender Tim Ream was overturned and instead given to Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron for simulation. In a more disputed case, Switzerland forward Breel Embolo received a second yellow card after a VAR review found he had initiated contact with Argentina’s Leandro Paredes; Switzerland had recently equalised, but Argentina later won 3-1 after extra time.

According to BBC Sport, Uefa told officials working early European qualifying matches that the amended rule should apply only to clear, factual cases of mistaken identity, such as the wrong player being punished for the same offence. Uefa’s view is that changing a decision from a foul to simulation involves a different and more subjective judgment, requiring an on-field review, and therefore does not fit the mistaken-identity category.

The issue matters because wider use of the provision could make many yellow-card incidents reviewable and raise consistency concerns at club level. BBC Sport said domestic leagues expressed surprise and concern about the World Cup interpretation, with one warning it could create “chaos.” Refereeing leaders from Uefa’s 54 member associations are expected to discuss VAR use next week, and domestic competitions are likely to align with Uefa’s narrower approach.