VAR makes 'mistaken identity' history as strange booking confuses fans
The United States opened their World Cup campaign with a fine win - but not before a sequence of events that left everyone inside SoFi Stadium scratching their heads as the video assistant referee (VAR) made history. The co-hosts were comfortably leading Paraguay 3-0 when confus
The United States opened their World Cup campaign with a fine win - but not before a sequence of events that left everyone inside SoFi Stadium scratching their heads as the video assistant referee (VAR) made history.
The co-hosts were comfortably leading Paraguay 3-0 when confusion reigned in the Group D game.
Veteran defender Tim Ream, 38, conceded a free-kick and was shown a yellow card for his 'challenge' on Miguel Almiron.
After the free-kick was taken, Dutch referee Danny Makkelie was sent to the screen by the VAR and overturned his decision - something officials have not previously been allowed to do.
After rescinding Ream's caution, Makkelie instead booked former Newcastle United forward Almiron, who had clearly dived.
It is the first VAR intervention for mistaken identity at the World Cup, even if it perhaps was not used in the way most expected it to be.
Fifa has introduced of a number of rule changes for the tournament, with Pierluigi Collina, the head of referees, requesting one specifically for mistaken identity.
The rule states that if a player is booked or sent off - but the foul was actually committed by the opposition team - the decision can be changed.
