According to Kicker, a rule-technical premiere occurred during the USA’s opening win against Paraguay on Friday night in Los Angeles. For the first time, the video assistant referee (VAR) used its new powers to retroactively punish a dive by Miguel Almiron. Referee Makkelie then reversed his original yellow card.
Whether the protocol interpretation was actually correct is questionable, according to Kicker. The new rule allows the VAR to punish simulation even if it initially went unpunished. The Almiron case marks the first use of this expanded authority.
Source: www.kicker.de
