The problem with the new ‘mistaken identity’ rule is that it sets a dangerous precedent. Breel Embolo dived, so if called on the field it’s a second yellow, but that wasn’t the decision. Yet an amendment to IFAB wording before the tournament states: “When the referee shows a yellow or red card but has clearly penalised the wrong player of either team for the offence in question; the offence itself cannot be reviewed except in the context of mistaken identity.” We saw the same with Tim Ream (originally booked for a foul) and Miguel Almiron (eventually booked for diving) in USA vs. Paraguay. In both instances, the right decision was reached when revisiting the incidents. Yet it’s massively open for debate as to whether this is actually ‘mistaken identity’, and that’s the issue. It’s just a mistake by the referees. Both got sold by a dive. They didn’t mix up players. They just made a bad call on a regular foul and wrongly handed out a yellow card. So really it’s just a rule allowing VAR to intervene on more minor on-field calls, and that’s the part a lot of people will feel uneasy about.
