UEFA statement on Álvarez pen: He made contact with the ball before kicking it

UEFA statement on Álvarez penalty: The player made contact with the ball before kicking it

According to Marca, Atletico have spent all of Thursday morning requesting explanations from UEFA on the decision, asserting that there are no images which show the double touch clearly. Alvarez himself has told his family that he did not notice it at the time. Los Colchoneros have even considered legal action.

However UEFA have moved to clarify the matter, releasing both the images that decision was based on, as well as an explanation in an official statement, also carried by the Madrid-based outlet.

“Atletico 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.”

The European governing body did note that they would discuss with the refereeing body whether the rule should be altered to accommodate situations where the double contact is accidental.

“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.”

This would appear to at least end the controversy over the decision, but will do little to ease the cruelty of Atletico’s elimination for their fans. Real Madrid, and in particular Thibaut Courtois showed little sympathy for them all the same.