Penalties scored when a player accidentally touches the ball twice must be retaken, world soccer’s lawmaking body IFAB has ruled.

Following Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez penalty controversy, IFAB updates soccer laws requiring penalties to be retaken if the ball is touched twice accidentally, starting July 2025.

The change in the law comes after Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez had his penalty kick disallowed in a European Champions League last-16 match.

During a tense shootout with Real Madrid in March, the Argentine forward Alvarez slipped and VAR spotted that his left foot touched the ball slightly before he kicked it with his right.

Although Alvarez converted the penalty, the goal was chalked off and Atletico went on to lose the shootout and were eliminated from the Champions League.

UEFA, the governing body of European soccer, stated that the correct decision was made according to the current laws. However, IFAB (International Football Association Board) has clarified that in such cases, the penalty must be retaken.

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 must be retaken, IFAB said in a circular.

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.

UEFA confirmed the correct decision in Alvarez’s disallowed penalty, but IFAB has now clarified that such penalties must be retaken unless deliberately touched twice, with new rules starting next season.

The Game AFL 2025
The decision to disallow Alvarez’s penalty left Atletico boss Diego Simeone livid and the club’s fans outraged.

IFAB added that if the penalty taker deliberately kicks the ball with both feet or deliberately touches it a second time, an indirect free kick is awarded or, in the case of shootouts, it is recorded as missed.

The new procedures are effective for competitions starting on or after July 1

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