VAR rules on yellow cards changed after Kalulu incident in Inter 3-2 Juventus

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) have decided to change the rules on VAR intervention for second yellow card offences, just two weeks after the controversial sending off of Pierre Kalulu during the Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus in Serie A. 

No more ‘Kalulu incidents’: VAR rules on second yellow cards to change

Football’s lawmakers have voted in favour of changing or adapting a number of rules at its annual general meeting in Wales on Saturday. 

Among the most prominent of the rule changes is that VAR will soon be able to intervene for second yellow card offences, which will spare players who have been incorrectly been sent off for a second bookable offence. 

This exact scenario occurred during Inter’s 3-2 victory over rivals Juventus in Serie A in February, when Bianconeri defender Kalulu was incorrectly dismissed for a second bookable offence for a supposed foul on Alessandro Bastoni, who had clearly dived in an attempt to get his opponent sent off. 

VAR was unable to intervene as this was not a straight red card offence, and Juventus, who had been level at 1-1 in the derby at the time, went on to lose 3-2 despite being on top in the period leading up to Kalulu’s sending off. 

The IFAB, which oversees the laws of the game, has decided to change the rules so that referees will be able to review second yellow card offences, which they had not previously been permitted to do. 

It is expected that this rule will be implemented during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

According to Sky Sports, the IFAB has also extended VAR powers to check corner kicks and have taken new measures to prevent time wasting.