VAR incorrectly reverses diving decision in USA World Cup match against Paraguay
Video Assistant Referee protocols were incorrectly applied during the United States’ World Cup match against Paraguay when referee Danny Makkelie reversed a yellow card to punish a dive.
The Dutch official initially cautioned American captain Tim Ream for a foul early in the second half.
Spanish VAR Carlos del Cerro Grande intervened and sent the on-field referee to the pitchside monitor to review the incident.
Replays clearly showed that Paraguay forward Miguel Almiron had simulated contact to win a free-kick.
The initial booking was rescinded, and the South American attacker was shown a yellow card instead.
Right outcome, wrong application
Fans and pundits widely praised the apparent use of the tweaked ‘mistaken identity’ rule to penalise simulation.
Well-placed sources have since informed BBC Sport that this specific application breached International Football Association Board (Ifab) guidelines.
The regulations state that mistaken identity can only be used when an official clearly penalises the wrong player for a committed offence.
Current rules do not permit the video assistant to review the offence itself to determine if a dive occurred.
World governing body Fifa has yet to officially clarify the procedural error.
Pundits debate technological limits
The incident highlights ongoing confusion surrounding new regulations introduced for the expanded 2026 tournament.
Former England international Danny Murphy commended the on-field outcome despite the breach in protocol.
Good spot and the right decision I may add. Any adaptation of the rules that means diving gets punished is good.Danny Murphy
Ex-defender Phil Jagielka echoed these sentiments but questioned the practical limits of the current technology.
It’s hard for the referees to get every decision correct. If something like that does happen, where there’s obviously not been contact and it’s been simulated and the referee has fallen for it, why not reverse it?Phil Jagielka
The former Everton centre-back warned that marginal contact situations remain a significant grey area for match officials.
What happens if I touch you a tiny bit and then you dive? You can’t reverse it, because I’ve touched you, even though my touch hasn’t made you collapse.Phil Jagielka
The expanded competition continues with a relentless schedule of up to six matches per day.
