UEFA, in collaboration with the International Football Association Board (IFAB), has announced a new amendment to the penalty kick law—an important step aimed at preventing future controversies.
This change comes in response to the heated debate surrounding the disallowed penalty kick taken by Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. In that match, Polish referee Szymon Marciniak ruled the kick invalid after determining that Álvarez had touched the ball twice with his feet during the penalty, a violation under the rules at the time. The decision contributed to Atlético Madrid’s elimination in favor of Real Madrid.
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Real Madrid filed a formal complaint with UEFA regarding the ruling, which prompted extended discussions between UEFA, FIFA, and IFAB over a possible law revision.
The new amendment states:
“If the penalty taker unintentionally touches the ball with both feet and the kick results in a goal, the kick shall be retaken. If the kick is unsuccessful, it shall be recorded as a missed penalty in a shootout, or awarded as an indirect free kick to the opposing team if it occurs during regular play.”
IFAB clarified that the purpose of the amendment is to distinguish between deliberate infractions and accidental instances—such as slips or loss of balance—emphasizing that the previous rule was unfair in certain rare cases.
It is worth noting that fans inside the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium initially believed Álvarez’s penalty was valid, especially after the scoreboard indicated a draw. However, the goal was later disallowed following protests from Real Madrid players and an intervention by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), ultimately aiding Real Madrid’s progression to the quarter-finals.
This rule change represents a proactive step to prevent similar controversies in the future, particularly in high-stakes tournaments where moments like penalty shootouts can be decisive.
