Atletico Madrid was unhappy at the time, and their anger will not have found a story to be calmed after the latest IFAB clarification about 'double touch' sentences. The 'missed' Julian Alvarez penalty in a Champions League round of 16 shoot-out against Rivals Real Madrid became one of the most controversial incidents in the history of the Madrid derby.
Initially it was claimed that there was no clear evidence for VAR to intervene and to exclude the fine of Alvarez because of a double touch. Now IFAB, the International Football Association Board that is in charge of rules and regulations in the game, has decided to 'clarify' the law with regard to double fines.
Full explanation:
The IFAB wants to clarify law 10 to determine the outcome of a match and law 14-the penalty kick with regard to the situation when the penalt type person accidentally kicks the ball at the same time with both feet at the same time or when the ball touches the non-dicking foot or leg of the penalty immediately after they have taken over the stairs.
This situation is rare, and because it is not being treated directly in legislation 14, referees understandably tend to punish the kicker because they have touched the ball again before he has touched another player, so that an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposition or, in the case of stairs (Penalty Shoot-out), the included of the stairs.
However, this part of the law 14 is mainly intended for situations in which the penalty contractor deliberately touches the ball a second time before he has touched another player (for example, when the target post (s) or Dwarsbar has returned without touching the goalkeeper). This is very different from the penal person who accidentally kicks the ball with both feet at the same time with both feet or touches the ball with their non-purchasing foot or leg immediately after they have taken the kick, which usually occurs because they have slipped when they take it.
Not punishing a casual double touch would nevertheless be unfair because the goalkeeper can be disadvantaged by the changed process of the ball.
That is why the IFAB wants to clarify the procedures in the following situations. • The penalty contractor accidentally kicks the ball with both feet at the same time or the ball touches their non-clicking foot or leg immediately after the kick: § If the kick is successful, it will be recovered § If the kick is not successful, an indirect free kick is awarded (unless the referee is registered as the referee is registered as the referee is registered Referee is arranged if the referee is intentionally kicked the ball with both feet at the same time or it deliberately touches another player: § an indirect free kick is awarded (unless the referee benefits clearly to the defending team), the kick.
Keep in mind that these clarified procedures are in force for competitions that start on or after July 1, 2025 and can be used by competitions that start before that date.