Mistaken identity
Article summary
We examine where VAR should intervene in cases of mistaken identity, and whether an on-field review is required by the referee.
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Article body
VAR should intervene in cases of mistaken identity where the referee has shown a yellow or red card for an offence but has clearly penalised the wrong player of either team, instead of the one who committed the offence in question. The offence itself cannot be reviewed.
If the mistaken identity concerns players from the same team, VAR should inform the referee who should take the final decision without reviewing the incident on the pitch-side monitor.
If the mistaken identity concerns players from opposing teams, the incident should be reviewed by the referee on the pitch-side monitor (Videos 1, 2 & 3).
The rationale
Every other intervention asks whether the referee got the decision right, but this one does not. The original decision stands, and the only question is whether the card went to the right player.