OFFICIAL: IFAB modifies double touch rule of penalty over Julián Álvarez's case

This new rule will apply to competitions starting on or after July 1, 2025, and can be used in competitions starting before that date.

Julián Álvarez's controversial penalty in the Champions League round of 16 shootout against Real Madrid has prompted the IFAB, the body responsible for drafting the rules of refereeing in football, to publish a statement clarifying the rule on unintentional double touches in penalty kicks. 

As the IFAB points out, "This is an rare situation and, since it is not directly regulated by Law 14, the referees have understandably opted to penalize the kicker for having played the ball a second time before it had been touched by another player. They then award an indirect free kick to the opposing team or, in the case of penalty shootouts, record the kick as missed." This is precisely what happened in the knockout round.

However, this section of Law 14 is primarily intended for situations in which the penalty taker intentionally plays the ball a second time before it is touched by another player (e.g., after it has bounced off the goalposts or crossbar without touching the goalkeeper). This is very different from when the penalty taker inadvertently hits the ball with both feet simultaneously or when the ball touches the penalty taker's supporting foot or leg immediately after taking the kick, which often occurs because the penalty taker slips at the moment of the kick. 

In any case, it would not be fair to not penalize this double touch, since the altered trajectory of the ball could put the goalkeeper at a disadvantage. 

The IFAB therefore wishes to clarify the procedures in the following situations : 

• The penalty taker inadvertently hits the ball with both feet simultaneously or the ball touches his supporting foot or leg just after taking the kick: 

     § If the ball enters the goal, it will be repeated. 

     § If the ball does not enter the goal, an indirect free kick will be awarded (unless the referee grants an advantage when the action clearly benefits the defending team) or, in the case of penalty shoot-outs, the shot will be recorded as missed. 

• The pitcher voluntarily hits the ball with both feet simultaneously or voluntarily plays it a second time before it is touched by another player: 

     § An indirect free kick will be awarded (unless the referee grants an advantage when the action clearly benefits the defending team) or, in the case of penalty shoot-outs, the shot will be recorded as missed. 

Please note that the procedure clarified here will apply to competitions starting on or after July 1, 2025, and may be used for competitions starting before that date.