Penalties scored when the taker inadvertently kicks the ball twice must be retaken, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has said in a change to the rules following controversy in the Champions League this season.
Atletico Madrid were knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16 by city rivals Real Madrid in March after a shootout that saw Julian Alvarez have a successful penalty chalked off for an accidental double touch.
UEFA said at the time that the rules were applied correctly, but those rules will not apply going forward, with IFAB issuing a circular that confirmed as such.
“(When) the penalty taker accidentally kicks the ball with both feet simultaneously or the ball touches their non-kicking foot or leg immediately after the kick: if the kick is successful, it is retaken,” the circular from the body that determines the laws of the game read.
“If the kick is unsuccessful, an indirect free kick is awarded (unless the referee plays advantage when it clearly benefits the defending team). In the case of penalties (penalty shootout), the kick is recorded as missed.”
Alvarez was ruled to have missed Atletico’s second penalty of the shootout after VAR spotted the former Manchester City forward had accidentally touched the ball with his left both finding the net with his right.
Madrid went on to win the shootout 4-2, though their defence of the Champions League crown ended in the quarter-finals.
