Law change after Julian Alvarez penalty controversy | OneFootball

The rules around penalty kicks have been clarified this week following the controversial incident involving Julián Álvarez, which played a part in Atlético Madrid’s Champions League exit.

In the shootout against Real Madrid, the Atlético Madrid striker slipped as he took his penalty and the ball clipped his standing foot just after the shot.

The goal didn’t stand, which left Atlético furious, especially since Real went on to win and knock them out.

Now, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) - the body responsible for the game’s laws - has stepped in to clear things up with an update to Law 14.

That particular rule was originally intended to prevent players from deliberately taking two touches, not to punish those who accidentally lose their footing while shooting. IFAB has now issued fresh guidance to reflect that.

The new clarification explains: “If the penalty taker accidentally strikes the ball with both feet at once, or it touches their non-kicking leg straight after the shot, then – if the ball goes in – the penalty should be retaken. If it doesn’t go in, it’s counted as a miss or, in open play, results in an indirect free kick to the opposition (unless advantage is played).”

This updated interpretation officially comes into effect from 1 July, although IFAB has said that competitions starting before then, such as the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA (14 June-13 July) can choose to apply the change early.