Makkelie Reverses Ream Yellow, Books Almiron in 4-1 USA Win as VAR Rule Confusion Deepens

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 13

Danny Makkelie used a VAR review in the United States' 4-1 win over Paraguay to cancel Tim Ream's yellow card and instead caution Miguel Almiron for simulation.
IFAB's mistaken-identity wording appears to allow only the wrong player being punished for the same offence, not a switch from Ream's foul to Almiron's dive, leaving well-placed sources saying the decision was incorrect.
The review also came after play had restarted with a Paraguay free-kick, raising further protocol questions; the restart should then have been a dropped ball rather than a USA free-kick.
The incident has become the clearest early example of confusion around FIFA's new World Cup law tweaks, which also include mandatory 3-minute hydration breaks and a 5-second throw-in countdown.