The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has officially issued a major update to the penalty kick law, specifically clarifying the interpretation of accidental “double touches”. The change comes after the controversial incident involving Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez’s penalty in the Champions League match against Real Madrid in March.
Previously, under the interpretation of Law 14, Alvarez's penalty was overturned after VAR determined that the ball had touched his standing foot before he took the shot with his right foot. This happened during the penalty shootout, when Alvarez could have levelled the score at 2-2. Referee Szymon Marciniak ruled the penalty invalid, leading to Atletico eventually losing the shootout.
Alvarez takes a penalty kick during the penalty shootout between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid (Photo: Getty).
The incident sparked strong reactions from Atlético players and coaching staff, with head coach Diego Simeone arguing that the penalty should have been awarded because "the ball did not move" when it came into contact with Alvarez's supporting leg.
However, slow-motion replays proved the ball had moved, causing the kick to be ruled out under Rule 14.1, which states: “ The kicker may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player. The penalty kick is completed when the ball stops moving, goes out of play or the referee stops play for any offence.”
Atletico then lodged a formal complaint with UEFA, asking for the rule to be reviewed. UEFA confirmed that it would raise the issue with FIFA and IFAB, and now the football governing body has officially amended the rule.
New Rule: Accidental Double Touch
In a new circular, the IFAB has clarified the law by stating that accidental double touches will no longer automatically result in a goal being disallowed in a penalty shootout or in open play. Instead, if a player accidentally touches the ball with both feet (for example, by slipping) and the ball enters the goal, the penalty kick must be retaken.
The rules state: “When a player taking a penalty kick accidentally kicks the ball with both feet at the same time or the ball touches his foot or non-kicking foot immediately after kicking: If the kick is successful, the kick is retaken. If the kick is unsuccessful, during play, it is replaced by an indirect free kick (unless the referee awards a clear advantage to the defending team), or in the case of a penalty shoot-out, the kick is recorded as a miss.”
Referee Szymon Marciniak disallowed Alvarez's goal for touching the ball twice (Photo: Getty).
The IFAB document also explains that referees have traditionally disallowed such goals because of their reasonable interpretation of the law. However, the IFAB makes a clear distinction between intentional second touches (for example, when a player deliberately hits the ball off a post in order to kick it himself) and unintentional second touches, which occur when a player misses or trips.
The IFAB stressed that not penalising an accidental double touch would still be unfair, as the altered trajectory of the ball could disadvantage the goalkeeper. Therefore, retaking the penalty or settling for an indirect free kick would be a fairer solution for both sides.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/luat-bong-da-duoc-thay-doi-theo-de-xuat-cua-atletico-madrid-20250604091045951.htm
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