UEFA is set to discuss potential changes to the penalty rule following the controversial disallowance of Julián Álvarez’s spot-kick during Atlético Madrid’s Champions League penalty shootout defeat against Real Madrid. The governing body plans to engage with FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to explore whether “clearly unintentional” double touches should result in a penalty retake rather than an automatic disqualification.
UEFA Pushes for Rule Review After VAR Controversy
On Wednesday night, Álvarez’s penalty was ruled out after a VAR review confirmed he had accidentally struck the ball with his standing foot before taking the shot. UEFA issued a statement the following day, accompanied by video footage, explaining the decision:
“Atlético de Madrid enquired with UEFA over the incident that led to the disallowance of Julián Álvarez’s penalty at the end of the UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid. Although minimal, the player made contact with the ball using his standing foot before kicking it. Under the current Laws of the Game (Law 14.1), the VAR had to intervene, signaling to the referee that the goal should be disallowed. UEFA will engage in discussions with FIFA and IFAB to determine if the rule should be reviewed in cases where a double touch is clearly unintentional.”
How Álvarez’s Penalty Was Overturned
Atlético Madrid faced a bitter Champions League exit against their city rivals after Álvarez’s penalty was controversially ruled out. The match, tied on aggregate after 180 minutes plus extra time, was ultimately decided by a penalty shootout.
Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham scored early for Real Madrid, while Alexander Sørloth equalized for Atlético. Álvarez then stepped up for his attempt but slipped as he struck the ball, unintentionally making contact with his standing foot before finding the net. As Federico Valverde prepared to take the next penalty, referee Szymon Marciniak delayed play, signaling that VAR was reviewing Álvarez’s kick.
Despite inconclusive video footage, Polish VAR official Tomasz Kwiatkowski determined that Álvarez had committed a double-touch violation, leading to the penalty’s disqualification. The decision, however, was not immediately communicated to fans inside the stadium, resulting in confusion as Atlético’s supporters celebrated prematurely.
Atlético briefly regained hope when Ángel Correa converted his penalty and Jan Oblak saved Lucas Vázquez’s effort. But Marcos Llorente’s missed attempt left Antonio Rüdiger with the opportunity to seal victory for Real Madrid, which he did, securing a quarter-final clash with Arsenal.
Understanding the Penalty Rule
According to FIFA’s Laws of the Game, Law 10 states:
“The [penalty] kick is completed when the ball stops moving, goes out of play, or the referee stops play for any offense; the kicker may not play the ball a second time.”
Marciniak’s decision was based on this rule, penalizing Álvarez for inadvertently touching the ball twice before the penalty was completed. Unlike the microchip-enhanced balls used in the World Cup and Euros, VAR had to rely solely on video replays to reach a conclusion.
Expert Opinions and UEFA’s Next Steps
Several experts have scrutinized the decision, with some questioning whether sufficient evidence existed to overturn the penalty. Former referee analysts have pointed out that UEFA’s call for a rule change suggests uncertainty about the ruling.
“There is no clear visual evidence that Álvarez played the ball twice,” noted one analyst. “If UEFA had definitive proof, they wouldn’t be pushing for a rule change.”
Despite the controversy, Real Madrid celebrated their shootout triumph, with Vinícius Júnior taunting Atlético fans post-match. His gestures, referencing Atlético’s lack of Champions League titles, sparked further tensions.
Atlético’s coach, Diego Simeone, voiced his frustration:
“I’ve never seen VAR intervene in a penalty shootout before. Did you see him touch the ball twice? If anyone in the stadium saw it, raise your hand! No hands? Exactly.”
Meanwhile, former Real Madrid midfielder and commentator Steve McManaman defended the referee’s call:
“It does look like it comes off both feet. Sometimes, you need a bit of luck to win, and Real Madrid had plenty of it tonight.”
What Happens Next?
UEFA’s proposal to amend the rule will likely face hurdles at IFAB, which tends to resist frequent rule changes. However, the governing body’s willingness to explore revisions indicates a growing acknowledgment of how technology and new interpretations impact the game.
For now, the decision stands, but the controversy surrounding Álvarez’s penalty may influence how similar incidents are handled in the future. As UEFA, FIFA, and IFAB deliberate, football fans and clubs alike will watch closely to see if any adjustments are made to the penalty rules in high-stakes matches.
