UEFA has confirmed that it will review the controversial double-touch penalty rule following the disallowed penalty taken by Julián Álvarez in Atlético Madrid’s Champions League match against Real Madrid. The incident, which played a pivotal role in Atlético’s elimination from the competition, has sparked widespread debate and criticism.
In a statement released on Thursday, UEFA explained that Atlético Madrid had formally requested clarification regarding the decision. “Atlético de Madrid enquired with UEFA over the incident, which led to the disallowance of the penalty kick taken by Julián Álvarez during the UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid,” the statement read.
UEFA’s investigation into the incident revealed that Álvarez made contact with the ball with his standing foot before taking the shot. This slight touch, although minimal, was deemed a violation of Law 14.1 of the Laws of the Game. “The player made contact with the ball using his standing foot before kicking it, as evidenced in the attached video footage. As per the current rules, the VAR team correctly advised the referee to disallow the goal,” UEFA explained.
The decision led to an outcry from Atlético’s supporters, as well as their head coach, Diego Simeone, with many questioning the fairness of the rule. The controversial penalty miss marked a crucial moment in Atlético’s early exit from the tournament.
In response to the uproar, UEFA announced that it would engage in discussions with FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to review the rule, particularly in cases where the double touch is unintentional. “UEFA will enter discussions with FIFA and IFAB to consider whether the rule should be amended in instances where a double touch is clearly unintentional,” the statement concluded.
The review of this rule could have a significant impact on future penalty decisions in major tournaments, as football continues to evolve in response to new technological insights and calls for fairer interpretations of the game.
