UEFA announced plans to discuss with FIFA and IFAB over changing the rules regarding penalty kicks after Julián Álvarez’s penalty was disallowed during Atlético Madrid’s Champions League match against Real Madrid. Real Madrid advanced following a 4-2 penalty shootout victory after a 2-2 aggregate tie. Álvarez’s kick was ruled out due to VAR determining he made contact with the ball twice while slipping. Atlético’s coach Diego Simeone protested the decision, asserting the ball didn’t move, while Real’s Thibaut Courtois dismissed their complaints. UEFA released footage showing minimal contact and aims to review the current double touch rule.
UEFA announced they will “begin discussions with FIFA and IFAB” regarding a potential amendment to the rule that led to Julián Álvarez’s penalty being ruled out during Atlético Madrid’s Champions League loss to Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Real Madrid advanced to the quarterfinals — where they will meet Arsenal — after securing a 4-2 win in the penalty shootout following extra time at the Metropolitano, with the aggregate score finishing at 2-2.
A pivotal moment in the shootout occurred when Álvarez’s penalty was disallowed after VAR confirmed that the Atlético player had touched the ball twice — once with each foot — while slipping before he managed to score against goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
This prompted objections from Atlético, as coach Diego Simeone asserted that “the ball doesn’t move,” challenging reporters on the ruling during his postmatch conference, while Courtois responded by accusing Atlético of “complaining.”
In conjunction with the announcement, UEFA shared frame-by-frame footage on Thursday that seemed to suggest “minimal” contact was made with the ball by Alvarez’s standing leg.
“Atlético de Madrid sought clarification from UEFA regarding the incident that resulted in the disallowance of the penalty taken by Julián Alvarez at the conclusion of yesterday’s UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid,” UEFA stated.
“Although slight, the player made contact with the ball using his standing foot before striking it, as indicated in the attached video clip. According to the current rule (Laws of the Game, Law 14.1), the VAR was required to inform the referee that the goal should not stand.
“UEFA will initiate discussions with FIFA and IFAB to assess whether the rule should be reconsidered in instances where a double touch is evidently unintentional.”
IFAB, the International Football Association Board, oversees the laws of the game and proposes any amendments.
The incident involving Álvarez caused confusion within the stadium on Wednesday, with many attendees initially unaware of the penalty’s disallowance, followed by protests from Atlético, spearheaded by Simeone.
Atlético controlled much of Wednesday’s match, winning 1-0 for the night, credited to Conor Gallagher’s goal just 27 seconds after kickoff.
The club has yet to defeat their local rivals Real in the Champions League, having lost in the 2014 and 2016 finals, and being knocked out in the 2017 semifinals.