Kalulu red card could lead to major VAR rule change in time for 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Reports in Italy suggest that the International Football Association Board (IFAB) will move to change a major VAR rule in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America following the controversial scenes during Saturday evening’s Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus.

Could VAR rules change after Inter 3-2 Juventus controversy?

Inter claimed a 3-2 victory in the derby thanks to an own goal from Andrea Cambiaso and individual efforts from Pio Esposito and Piotr Zielinski, but their victory has been somewhat overshadowed by the refereeing controversy that led to the first-half sending off of Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu.

Kalulu was sent off in the 42nd minute for two bookable offences. There have been suggestions that his original yellow, for a foul on Nicolo Barella, was slightly harsh, but the second has been deemed ‘non-existent’ and ‘absurd’ by newspapers in Italy on Sunday.

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Pierre Kalulu of Juventus reacts as he walks off after being sent off by Referee Federico La Penna (not pictured) for a second yellow card offence during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

That is because Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni was deemed to have dived in an attempt to get Kalulu sent off. Referee Federico La Penna did not hesitate in his decision to show Kalulu his second yellow, and as this was not a straight red card incident, VAR could not intervene.

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the IFAB, the body responsible for managing and updating the laws of the game, will review whether or not VAR should be allowed to intervene on second yellow card offences at its next annual assembly.

FLORENCE, ITALY – JANUARY 4: Federico La Penna referee reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and US Cremonese at Artemio Franchi on January 4, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

This is a topic that was already raised during a recent IFAB meeting on January 20, and will be reviewed at the annual assembly in Cardiff, Wales on February 28.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the signals indicate towards IFAB voting in favour of allowing VAR to intervene on second yellow card offences, and that this new change in rules could come into effect in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.