IFAB Clarifies Penalty Kick Laws Following Julián Álvarez Incident

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has announced the inclusion of new clarifications and wording in the Laws of the Game regarding the execution of penalty kicks. This decision follows an incident during the UEFA Champions League match between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid. The official move comes in response to the controversy surrounding a double-touch incident at the Metropolitano stadium, which altered the course of the continental clash between the two Spanish giants in the round of 16.

The match, played on March 12, 2025, saw a penalty kick taken by forward Julián Álvarez for Atlético Madrid disallowed after a VAR review. Referee Szymon Marciniak decided not to award the goal after it was determined that the player had touched the ball twice due to slipping at the moment of striking it. This is a clear violation of Law 14, which prohibits the taker from touching the ball again before it has been touched by another player from either team.

This incident led to Atlético Madrid's elimination from the tournament after losing the penalty shootout 4-2. The case was considered the first of its kind where technology detected a slight double-touch during a crucial knockout stage. Although the legal rule has existed for decades, the absence of technology in previous years prevented the detection of similar instances, prompting legislative bodies to update the legal text to ensure accurate application in the future.