IFAB Changed the Rule for Penalty Shootouts after Real Madrid Controversy

The new rule will come into effect on July 1, 2025. Teams and players have time to accept a recent change. Bookies and fans also should consider the new reality when placing bets on online casino sites. Even the smallest regulatory change has a direct impact on the odds.

The In-Play Controversy That Became Subject to Discussions

The rule change followed an incident that occurred during the match of the UEFA Champions League in March 2025. Atlético Madrid earned a penalty against Real Madrid. Julián Álvarez successfully sent the ball into the net. However, the score was canceled because Álvarez’s standing foot made slight contact with the ball just before he struck it with his other foot. Under the rules at the time, this counted as a “double touch”. According to Law 14, the penalty taker can’t make one more kick before it has been touched by another player.

The decision was met with outrage. Álvarez’s slip was clearly accidental and did not give any advantage. The missed chance influenced the team’s motivation. Real Madrid went on to win 4-2.

The Rule Clarification

UEFA promised to take the controversial decision to FIFA and IFAB. Is there any result? Yes. As per the new guidance:

• If a penalty kick is accidentally touched twice (e.g., by both feet or the non-kicking leg) and results in a goal, the penalty must be retaken.
• If the kick is failed, the defending team gets an alternative free kick in regular time, or the kick is considered to be missed in a shootout.

Players will no longer be unfairly punished for accidental double touches that occur without intention. If a player slips, he won’t have to deal with the consequences. Meanwhile, deliberate second touches are still strictly penalized.

Fairness vs. Technicality

Football referees have always interpreted Law 14 in a specific way. A penalty made with a double touch needed to be disallowed. This was a reasonable decision considering the law’s wording. However, Law 14 was originally meant to prevent deliberate second contacts, not accidental mishaps. This is different from the in-play situation when a penalty taker touches the ball by mistake after having made a penalty.

Goalkeepers have a certain disadvantage in such situations due to the ball’s altered trajectory. This is why outright allowance of such goals was rejected. A retake, however, was seen as a fair compromise.

Reactions from the Football World

The change has been well-received. Players, coaches, and analysts agree it provides a fairer resolution to a confusing situation. It also lifts unnecessary psychological weight off players, who are already under pressure when kicking a penalty. Even more importantly, the rule change underscores the evolving nature of the sport.

Football is widely adopting new technologies to make football matches more organized. With VAR, you still can’t have 100% accurate in-play decisions. Clear football laws are required to read the game properly. So the recent update is an attempt to maintain football transparency.

What It Means for Future Matches

The practical impact of this rule change will be seen soon, especially during tournaments like the FIFA Club World Cup. Both Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid are set to compete. It wouldn’t be surprising if Álvarez gets another opportunity from the spot under the newly revised rule.

Teams and coaches will likely adapt their training sessions to simulate penalty scenarios and reinforce correct technique. Players can now step up knowing a major mistake won’t necessarily end in disaster. For referees, this clarification removes ambiguity and gives them a clearer framework to judge such incidents. VAR officials now have an updated protocol to guide their decisions.

The IFAB’s update to Law 14 marks a significant and overdue shift in football’s approach to a rare but possible situation. As July 1 approaches, players will step up to the penalty spot with no stress. A slip won’t seal their fate. The clear rules ensure the beautiful game remains just that — beautiful and fair.