Julian Alvarez's Double Touch Changes Football Rules! IFAB Modifies Penalty Law

A play involving Julian Alvarez in a Champions League match between Real Madrid and Atlético has sparked such a profound debate that it has led the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to clarify and, in a way, modify a fundamental rule of football: the double touch on a penalty kick. This situation, which until now was in a regulatory limbo and interpreted in various ways by referees, now has a clear directive that will directly affect the outcome of matches.

IFAB, the body responsible for the Laws of the Game, has focused on Laws 10 ('Determination of the Outcome of a Match') and 14 ('The Penalty Kick') to address the specific case of the "double touch." Historically, when a penalty taker touched the ball twice consecutively before another player did, the action was usually penalized, often with an indirect free-kick awarded to the defending team. However, Julian Alvarez's action and similar situations have led to a comprehensive review.

The New Rule: Accidental vs. Deliberate

Until now, the rule did not explicitly regulate the consequences of an accidental double touch on a penalty. Referees, faced with ambiguity, tended to penalize the action based on the spirit of the game or subjective interpretations. But IFAB has intervened to unify criteria and eliminate any gray areas. The new ruling is precise: if a penalty kick, after an accidental double touch, results in a goal, the penalty must be retaken.

It is crucial to understand the distinction now made between an accidental and a deliberate double touch. If the penalty taker makes a deliberate double touch (i.e., intentionally touches the ball a second time before another player does), this action will continue to be penalized with an indirect free-kick for the opposing team. The novelty lies in the leniency and the retaking of the kick if the second touch is accidental and results in a goal.

This clarification by IFAB seeks, on one hand, to protect the integrity of the penalty kick as a goal-scoring opportunity and, on the other, to reduce controversies arising from unintentional actions. "Julian's double touch" thus becomes a regulatory landmark, demonstrating how a specific action in an elite match can drive changes that affect football worldwide. From now on, teams and players will need to be aware of this subtle but significant modification, which could determine key results in the future.