In a significant update to football regulations, UEFA has revised the rules concerning accidental 'double-touch' penalties. This change comes after a contentious incident during the Champions League last-16 second-leg tie between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid in March 2025.

The Controversial Incident

Atletico Madrid's forward, Julian Alvarez, found himself at the center of controversy when his penalty during the shootout was disallowed. Alvarez slipped while taking the kick, causing his standing leg to make slight contact with the ball. This was deemed a 'double-touch,' leading to the penalty being disallowed. Real Madrid went on to win the shootout, advancing to the quarter-finals.

The Rule Change

The International Football Association Board (Ifab), responsible for setting the sport's laws, has clarified Law 14 regarding this issue. The new rule states that if a penalty kick is successful but involves an accidental 'double-touch,' it should be retaken rather than ruled out. However, if the kick is unsuccessful, an indirect free-kick will be awarded to the defending team during a match, or it will be recorded as a miss in a shootout.

Rationale Behind the Change

Ifab acknowledged that it would be unfair to allow a goal resulting from an accidental 'double-touch' to stand, as it could disadvantage goalkeepers due to the altered trajectory of the ball. The primary purpose of Law 14 is to address deliberate double touches, and the clarification ensures that accidental incidents are handled fairly.

Implementation

The clarified law will be effective from 1 July 2025, but Ifab has indicated that it may be used by competitions starting before that date. This update aims to bring more fairness and clarity to the game, ensuring that such rare incidents are handled consistently.

Related Events

The FIFA Club World Cup, scheduled to take place in the United States from 14 June to 13 July 2025, will be one of the first major tournaments to potentially implement this new rule.