UEFA makes shocking decision following Julian Alvarez penalty incident and Atlético Madrid elimination

A controversial penalty miss by Atletico Madrid‘s Julian Alvarez during their Champions League clash against Real Madrid has ignited a debate about soccer’s Laws of the Game. The incident, occurring during Wednesday night’s penalty shootout, saw Alvarez‘s kick disallowed after VAR review confirmed a double touch. Real Madrid ultimately won 4-2, advancing to the next round.

This incident highlights a key area of contention in the Laws of the Game (Law 14.1), which prohibits a player from touching the ball twice before taking a penalty. However, the second touch seemed unintentional and didn’t materially impact the shot’s trajectory, leading to questions about whether the current rule is appropriate for such situations.

Within 24 hours of Atletico’s exit, UEFA released a statement, published by Fabrizio Romano, announcing discussions with FIFA and IFAB (International Football Association Board) regarding possible rule modifications.

The statement reads: “Atletico de Madrid enquired with UEFA over the incident, which led to the disallowance of the kick from the penalty mark taken by Julian Alvarez at the end of yesterday’s UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid. Although minimal, the player made contact with the ball using his standing foot before kicking it, as shown in the attached video clip. Under the current rule (Laws of the Game, Law 14.1), the VAR had to call the referee signalling that the goal should be disallowed. UEFA will enter discussions with FIFA and IFAB to determine whether the rule should be reviewed in cases where a double touch is clearly unintentional.”

Expert reactions to Alvarez penalty incident

The incident sparked reactions from soccer figures. Former referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz, in a Spanish TV interview, commented: “If I were to referee such a momentous play again, I wouldn’t be comfortable if they told me… I’d want to go see it, and then I’d decide. Well, it’s my responsibility. I have to take it on my shoulders and then decide based on what I see fit. That’s how I understand refereeing.”

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone also offered his perspective: “I just saw the image of the penalty. The referee said that when Julián stepped and kicked, he touched the ball with his foot, but the ball didn’t move. That’s something to discuss about whether it was a goal or not, but I’m proud of my players.“ These comments illustrate the widespread debate surrounding VAR’s application in penalty decisions and the current penalty rules.

Potential impact of VAR and penalty rule changes

UEFA’s initiative to collaborate with FIFA and IFAB signifies a proactive approach to addressing concerns about the Laws of the Game. A rule change permitting retakes in cases of unintentional double touches could significantly reshape future penalty shootouts, minimizing similar controversies.

The outcome of these discussions will be closely monitored by the entire soccer world, impacting how penalties are officiated globally. UEFA’s response demonstrates the ongoing evolution of soccer rules and officiating procedures. The potential modifications may reshape future penalty kicks and VAR’s role in determining decisions.