​Breel Embolo’s red card in the quarterfinal against Argentina has ignited a debate about how the NBA and NFL handle their own rules. The Switzerland forward received a second yellow card after a VAR review, a decision that may mark the end of his run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. James Gilbert/Getty Images captures the moment as Embolo’s campaign for Qatar’s tournament scene takes a potential detour.
For years, soccer fans watched players gamble with dives and often get away with it, a problem that seemed to persist until the advent of VAR re-checks. In light of this shift, former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III urged leagues beyond football to study FIFA’s approach to Embolo’s dive in the Argentina-Switzerland match. On X, Griffin III suggested that “FIFA just used VAR to replay a player flopping and gave him a yellow card. NBA and NFL need to implement this ASAP.” His call highlights a belief that officiating technology and enforcement could enhance fairness and accountability across major sports.
In the NBA, some form of a VAR-like system already exists, albeit in a limited capacity. The league has a mechanism that can penalize egregious flopping with on-court penalties, serving as a deterrent against exaggerated or deceptive plays. Still, this approach remains distinct from the more comprehensive video-review processes common in soccer and other sports. It is not a universal standard across all foul situations, and its application can be inconsistent, leaving fans to wonder whether more uniform enforcement is possible.
Meanwhile, the NFL has yet to implement a true VAR-equivalent technology. While television replays and official reviews are integral to determining penalties, the absence of a dedicated, league-wide video-assessment system means that certain play outcomes and player actions can escape scrutiny or delay resolution. The result is a perception that officiating is less uniform or timely than it could be, especially in high-stakes games.
Griffin III’s argument points to a broader expectation among fans that major sports leagues should embrace more rigorous, transparent officiating tools. By adopting a FIFA-style approach—where video review can lead to concrete disciplinary actions for simulation or flopping—fandom could gain enhanced confidence in fairness and integrity. Such a shift could simultaneously improve the fan experience by clarifying decisions and incentivizing players to avoid deceptive tactics.
The comparison raises a practical question: how could the NBA and NFL adapt FIFA-like standards without compromising the flow of games? In soccer, VAR reviews are used to confirm fouls, penalties, or sanctions, often resulting in a yellow or red card for simulation or dangerous play. A parallel system in basketball could standardize penalties for obvious flops, initiate reviews for questionable contact, and deliver consistent consequences to deter embellishment. In football, implementing a similar framework would require careful integration of portable video review, clearer guidelines on what constitutes flopping, and a commitment to timely rulings that do not stall the game’s momentum.
Supporters of this direction argue that the benefits extend beyond discouraging deceptive acts. A robust video-review protocol that can enforce penalties for flopping could enhance competitive balance by ensuring that teams can’t rely on theatrics to influence outcomes. It could also improve the entertainment value for fans who crave clarity and fairness in officiating. Critics, however, worry about slowing the game, over-officiating, or introducing intrusive oversight that undermines the sport’s spontaneity and rhythm.
Ultimately, Embolo’s cautioned exit from the World Cup and the ensuing debate highlight a shared aspiration: sports leagues across the globe want officiating that is accurate, consistent, and understood by players, coaches, and fans alike. Whether the NBA and NFL adopt FIFA-inspired video review and disciplinary mechanisms remains to be seen, but the conversation they’ve sparked—about transparency, accountability, and the role of technology in modern sports—will likely shape discussions about rule enforcement for years to come.