New rules abound - why VAR diving decision was wrong despite feeling right

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Paraguay forward Miguel Almiron (centre) was stunned by Danny Makkelie's decision to book him for diving during the 4-1 defeat by the United States Chief football news reporterPublished22 minutes agoFour games, three opening ceremonies, victories for two of the host nations and an eye-catching performance in an entertaining draw for the third. Setting aside issues around ticket prices and blocked entry for match officials and players, the World Cup itself has got off to a decent start. Eleven successive days with four matches, then three with six. While getting our heads around the many kick-off times, football fans are grappling with rule changes that are, in some instances, leaving players, coaches, supporters and TV viewers a little bit confused. Here we break down some of those changes. VAR, timewasting and subs - World Cup law changes explained Published3 days agoRight outcome, wrong decision?Figure caption, VAR intervenes on mistaken identity When Dutch referee Danny Makkelie stopped the game between the United States and Paraguay in the early stages of the second half after Antonee Robinson headed the ball out of the home penalty area, it was not initially clear why. It turned out he was being sent to the pitchside monitor by Spanish video assistant referee (VAR) Carlos del Cerro Grande to review his decision to give USA skipper Tim Ream a yellow card for fouling Paraguay forward Miguel Almiron. Almiron had not been touched, so Makkelie reversed the caution and gave it to the former Newcastle player instead. It seemed as though the tweaked 'mistaken identity' rule was being used and was welcomed by many watching. "Good spot and the right decision I may add. That's the main thing," said BBC commentator Danny Murphy. "Any adaptation of the rules that means diving gets punished is good." Except it might not have been the right decision. Mistaken identity can only be used for a specific incident, when the referee "has clearly penalised the wrong player", according to the wording of the International Football Association Board (Ifab). "The offence itself cannot be reviewed." Mistaken identity does not appear to cover an opposing player incorrectly being booked when someone has dived. Well-placed sources have told BBC Sport Makkelie's decision was wrong, even if it felt right. World governing body Fifa is yet to clarify the situation. Former England defender Phil Jagielka is all for diving being punished. "I'm a defender, so I don't mind," he told BBC Sport. "Stuff like this, it's got to help. Tim Ream gets booked - he could end up getting sent off, and he's physically not touched someone. "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? "The only thing is, 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 and fall over. Where do you draw the line?" Figure caption, Could VAR end diving at the World Cup? Football issues correspondentThe Ifab and Fifa have introduced so many law changes for this World Cup, perhaps it should come as no surprise referees have come unstuck. On face value, overturning Ream's yellow card to book Almiron for diving seemed a sound decision. It is the kind of VAR intervention fans can get on board with. Except it was never the intention - and it seems to be wrong in law and VAR protocol. Across the briefings over the past six months, head of referees Pierluigi Collina did not reference diving in relation to mistaken identity. Collina has been so eager to prevent injustice that lots of similar checks have been added. To corners, to free-kicks and second yellows to name three. In a search for perfection, we have instead ended up with confusion. Collina introduced the law change around cautions being issued to the wrong player for the same offence because, in the final of Euro 2016, France's Laurent Koscielny was booked for handball, but the handball was by Portugal striker Eder. Same offence. In the USA game, a foul by Ream was corrected to simulation by Almiron. Different offences. Then there is the fact that the VAR review happened after the referee had very clearly intentionally restarted play with a Paraguay free-kick. Under VAR protocol a review cannot happen after play has restarted. What would have happened had Paraguay scored from the set-piece? It seems highly likely Fifa will have to issue a clarification about this, otherwise fans are going to expect the VAR to intervene on diving. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, USA coach Mauricio Pochettino (right) gets his message across during a hydration break in his side's 4-1 win over Paraguay When Fifa announced in December it was introducing mandatory three-minute hydration breaks "re

New rules abound - why VAR diving decision was wrong despite feeling right

Key takeaways

More in top