A Penalty Canceled by VAR Sparks Controversy
Last night, during the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid, an unusual incident occurred in the penalty shootout. Atlético striker Julián Álvarez saw his penalty disallowed after a VAR review due to an unintentional double contact with the ball.
Why Was the Penalty Canceled?
As the penalty shootout progressed, Julián Álvarez stepped up to take his shot. However, as he struck the ball, he slipped, causing his planting foot to make an unintended touch before his kicking foot hit the ball. The ball ended up in the net, but Real Madrid players immediately protested, pointing out the double contact.
After consulting VAR, the referee applied the rule and disallowed the goal, awarding an indirect free kick to Real Madrid.
The Current Double Contact Rule
According to Law 14 of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) Laws of the Game, during a penalty kick, the shooter cannot touch the ball a second time before another player has made contact with it. If this happens, even unintentionally, the goal is disallowed, and an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team.
Why This Rule Should Be Modified
Although this rule aims to prevent unfair advantages, it becomes problematic in situations where the double contact is clearly accidental. In Julián Álvarez’s case, he did not intentionally attempt to hit the ball twice—it was simply an unfortunate slip.
Instead of outright canceling the penalty, a modification of the rule could allow the player to retake the shot when the double contact results from an accident, such as losing balance or slipping on the pitch. Such an adjustment would ensure fairer play and prevent controversial decisions in crucial matches.
Conclusion
Last night’s incident reignites the debate over certain football rules that should be adjusted to reflect the realities of the game. Since football is a sport where unexpected events can always occur, it is essential to distinguish between intentional fouls and accidents. Revising the double contact rule would prevent teams from being unfairly punished and ensure greater fairness in penalty shootouts.
