Julian Alvarez’s slip during a Champions League shootout for Atletico Madrid has led to a rule change by football’s governing body. Back in March, Alvarez’s penalty — which went in — was disallowed after VAR spotted he unintentionally touched the ball twice, resulting in Real Madrid winning the shootout 4-2.
Following the controversy, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) clarified Law 14, now allowing a retake if a double touch happens unintentionally — such as a slip or the ball brushing the non-kicking foot. This update, originally set for July 1, will be applied early at the Club World Cup starting June 15 in the U.S., and at all UEFA matches starting June 4, including the Nations League semi-final.
The rule still treats deliberate second touches as fouls, but accidental ones — if resulting in a goal — will now be retaken, not ruled out.