In a dramatic turn of events during yesterday’s UEFA Champions League match between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid, a late penalty taken by Atlético’s Julián Álvarez was disallowed, sparking debate over the decision. UEFA has now released an official statement following an inquiry from Atlético de Madrid regarding the incident.
According to UEFA, video evidence revealed that Álvarez made minimal contact with the ball using his standing foot before striking it with his kicking foot. Under the current Laws of the Game (Law 14.1), this double touch—however slight—prompted the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to intervene. The VAR instructed the on-field referee to disallow the goal, a call that has since stirred controversy among fans and analysts.
In its statement, UEFA acknowledged the unintentional nature of Álvarez’s actions, noting, “Although minimal, the player made contact with the ball using his standing foot before kicking it, as shown in the attached video clip.” The organization emphasized that the referee’s decision aligned with existing regulations but hinted at potential changes on the horizon.
UEFA have now announced it will engage in discussions with FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB)—the bodies responsible for the sport’s rules—to explore whether Law 14.1 should be revisited. The focus will be on cases where a double touch is “clearly unintentional,” raising hopes among some that the rule could be softened to account for such incidents in the future.
The disallowed penalty has already fueled heated discussions online and within the football community, with many questioning the rigidity of the current law.