UEFA Considers Rule Change After Controversial Penalty Incident

MADRID, Spain — The UEFA is set to initiate discussions with FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB) regarding possible revisions to the double-touch penalty rule following the controversial non-call during a recent Champions League match.

The decision arose from a match held on March 12, 2025, between real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid, where Argentine forward Julián Álvarez had a penalty nullified due to an alleged double touch of the ball. This incident sparked intense debate about the rigid enforcement of current penalty rules, particularly in cases where contact with the ball appears involuntary.

According to Rule 14.1 of the IFAB’s Laws of the Game, a penalty must be canceled if the player touches the ball twice before another player has intervened. In Álvarez’s case, as he slipped during the kick, he inadvertently made contact with the ball using his support foot, leading to the penalty being disallowed after a video assistant referee (VAR) review.

“Under the current rule, the VAR had to notify the referee for the goal to be annulled,” UEFA stated in a release, citing the importance of adhering strictly to the regulations. The organization discussed the incident in light of a recent video showing Álvarez’s slip and its implications for the future of the game’s rules.

Despite the rule being applied correctly as per recent interpretations, UEFA acknowledges that the punishment for such involuntary touches can seem disproportionate. “We will engage in talks with FIFA and the IFAB to evaluate necessary adjustments regarding involuntary double touches in penalty scenarios,” UEFA indicated.

The IFAB is the governing body responsible for the rules of football globally and is composed of FIFA and the four British football associations. Their decision-making process involves extensive review and requires a three-quarters majority for any rule changes.

Recent changes to the IFAB rules include adjustments aimed at improving the game’s flow and fairness, highlighting the need for periodic reviews of existing regulations. The ceremony recently held in Belfast approved new changes for the 2025-26 season, one being the stipulation that only team captains may communicate with referees.

UEFA’s push for a rule reconsideration underlines the ongoing challenges within football, where the consequence of strict penalty enforcement can heavily influence critical match outcomes. Atlético Madrid’s coach Diego Simeone articulated his thoughts stating, “The ball didn’t move at all; one can only hope the VAR saw that Álvarez touched the ball.”

Conversely, Real Madrid‘s coach Carlo Ancelotti remarked, “It looked to me that he made contact with the ball twice.” The importance of such rulings in high-stakes matches has underscored the need for adaptability in enforcing the laws of football.

The conversation around rule changes will continue as UEFA and IFAB consider whether flexibility is needed in addressing cases of unintentional double taps during penalties. As the football community awaits these discussions, the debate remains active amid ongoing sentiment about just and fair gameplay.