UEFA has announced plans to review the rules on penalty kicks after a controversial incident during Atletico Madrid’s Champions League match against Real Madrid led to an outcry from fans and Atletico’s manager, Diego Simeone.
Atletico Madrid was knocked out in a tense last-16 match against their city rivals, Real Madrid, following a dramatic penalty shootout. The turning point came when Julian Alvarez’s penalty was disallowed after VAR ruled he touched the ball twice before scoring.
The referee initially allowed the goal, but after a video review, it was ruled out as replays showed Alvarez’s standing foot had slipped, causing him to make slight contact with the ball before striking it with his right foot.
The decision left Simeone visibly frustrated. Speaking at the post-match press conference, he challenged journalists by asking, “Raise your hand if you think Alvarez touched the ball twice.”
After a moment of silence, he added, “There you go, no one has raised their hands. Next question.”
Despite his anger, the Atletico boss praised his team’s efforts. “There is no doubt the fans are hurt because of the elimination, but they know their team left everything on the field and deserved the applause they received. Unfortunately, we couldn’t advance, but I leave in peace,” Simeone said.
He added, “Yes, we haven’t been able to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League, but they have always suffered against us. I’m sure that, when they talk among themselves, they’ll say, ‘These guys always made it tough for us.'”
In response to the controversy, UEFA released a statement explaining that the goal had to be disallowed under the current rules.
“Atletico de Madrid enquired with UEFA over the incident, which led to the disallowance of the kick from the penalty mark taken by Julian Alvarez,” the statement read.
“Although minimal, the player made contact with the ball using his standing foot before kicking it, as shown in the attached video clip. Under the current rule (Laws of the Game, Law 14.1), the VAR had to call the referee, signalling that the goal should be disallowed.”
UEFA also confirmed they would open discussions with FIFA and football’s law-making body, IFAB, to review the rule.
“UEFA will enter discussions with FIFA and IFAB to determine whether the rule should be reviewed in cases where a double touch is clearly unintentional,” the statement added.
The incident has sparked wide debate among football fans and experts, with many questioning whether Alvarez’s accidental slip should have cost Atletico their shot at advancing in the tournament.
As the Champions League progresses, all eyes will be on UEFA, FIFA, and IFAB to see if changes to the penalty rule will be made in the future.
