‘We’ll discuss with FIFA’ — UEFA to review penalty rule over Alvarez’s disallowed kick

UEFA says it will discuss with FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB) about reviewing double-kick penalty rule following Julian Alvarez’s disallowed kick against Real Madrid. 

On Wednesday, Alvarez slipped while taking his penalty during the shootout against Real Madrid in the second leg of their second tie in the UEFA Champions League (UCL).

Although the kick was scored, it was ruled out after a video assistant referee (VAR) intervention judged that Alvarez had touched the ball with both feet while taking the penalty.

Real Madrid eventually won the shootout 4-2 and advanced to the quarter-final.

In a statement on Thursday, UEFA corroborated the decision of the VAR, adding that “the player made contact with the ball using his standing foot before kicking it.”

The European football body added that the call to disallow the strike was also in accordance with “Laws of the Game, Law 14.1”.

Article 14.1 of IFAB’s law of the game, which focuses on penalty kicks, says a “kicker must not play the ball again until it has touched another player”. According to the rule, the defending team will receive an indirect free kick if the infringement occurs.

UEFA said it would discuss adjustments that can be made to the law with football lawmakers.

“UEFA will enter discussions with FIFA and IFAB to determine whether the rule should be reviewed in cases where a double touch is clearly unintentional,” the statement reads.

Real Madrid will face Arsenal in the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League.