The double-touch rule in penalty kicks is a crucial aspect of football regulations that ensures fairness during penalty situations. According to Law 14 of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), once a player takes a penalty kick, they must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player. If the kicker touches the ball twice in succession—commonly referred to as a “double touch”—without any other player making contact, the goal is disallowed, and an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the spot where the infringement occurred.
Understanding the Double-Touch Rule
The primary objective of this rule is to prevent the penalty taker from gaining an unfair advantage by playing the ball immediately after their initial kick. This ensures that all players have an equal opportunity to contest the ball once it is in play. The rule applies uniformly, regardless of whether the double touch is intentional or accidental. For instance, if a player slips during the penalty and inadvertently makes contact with the ball twice, the rule still mandates that the goal be disallowed.
Julian Alvarez’s Penalty Incident Against Real Madrid
A recent high-profile example highlighting the double-touch rule occurred during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid on March 13, 2025. In a tense penalty shootout, Atlético’s forward Julián Álvarez stepped up to take his spot-kick. Unfortunately, Álvarez slipped at the crucial moment, causing his left foot to make slight contact with the ball before his right foot struck it, resulting in an unintended double touch. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) reviewed the incident and, adhering to the current rules, disallowed the goal. This decision significantly impacted the shootout’s outcome, with Real Madrid advancing to the quarter-finals.
Reactions and Potential Rule Revisions
The incident involving Álvarez sparked widespread debate within the football community. Many argued that punishing an unintentional double touch, especially under such circumstances, was overly harsh. In response to the controversy, UEFA announced plans to engage in discussions with FIFA and IFAB to review the existing rule. The aim is to consider possible amendments that would differentiate between intentional and accidental double touches, potentially allowing for retakes in cases of genuine accidents.
