Football’s rule-making body, IFAB, has clarified the “double-touch” rule for penalty kicks, ruling that unintentional second touches resulting in a goal should now lead to a retake.
This swift decision comes after a controversial incident in March involving Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid, whose Champions League penalty was disallowed due to an accidental double touch.
Previously, VAR-detected unintentional double touches resulted in a missed penalty. However, IFAB now states that if a player slips and accidentally touches the ball twice but still scores, the kick should be retaken.
FIFA has confirmed the rule change will apply immediately to the Club World Cup, starting June 15, which features both Madrid clubs.
UEFA has also adopted the change, effective today, with all UEFA matches, including the Germany vs. Portugal Nations League semifinal, now played under the new interpretation of Law 14.
Lukas Brud, IFAB’s secretary, clarified that the rule is primarily for deliberate second touches, not accidental ones due to slips.
While acknowledging potential unfairness to goalkeepers, IFAB decided a retake for successful kicks ensures fairer play.
Unsuccessful kicks during normal play will result in an indirect free kick, while in shootouts, they remain a miss.
