Another FIFA rule that UEFA will not apply after the controversial red card to Embolo

UEFA, according to the BBC, has indicated to its video assistant referees (VAR) that they should not consider a possible simulation as an identification error, as FIFA has applied during the 2026 World Cup.

After the International Football Association Board (IFAB) modified the protocol, the VAR can intervene to change a yellow or red card if the referee has wrongly identified the player who committed the infringement.

The two controversies

This novelty has been put into practice twice in the World Cup: first to cancel a yellow card shown to the American defender Tim Ream for a foul and finally seeing the Paraguayan Miguel Almiron for simulating a foul.

Even more controversial was the expulsion of the Swiss forward Breel Plunger in the 72nd minute of the quarterfinal match against Argentina with 1-1 on the scoreboard.

Leandro Paredes received a yellow card for a reckless tackle, but it was proven that Embolo had initiated the contact. As the Swiss striker already had a yellow card, he received a second one after the VAR review and was sent off.

The decision came just five minutes after Switzerland tied (1-1) and Argentina, with numerical superiority, ended up winning 3-1 in extra time.

The third rule that will not apply

This is the third rule that, unlike FIFA, decides not to apply. First he announced that he is distancing himself in his competitions from the so-called ‘Prestianni Law’ by which a player will be expelled for addressing a rival while covering his mouth.

Furthermore, as MD has learned, UEFA is also not going to implement another modification of the Laws of the Game: expulsion when a player leaves the field in protest, as happened in the final of the Africa Cup when the Senegal players decided to leave the field due to an arbitration decision favorable to Morocco.