Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez’s disallowed penalty kick in the second-leg fixture against city rivals Real Madrid on Wednesday night in the Champions League has sparked discussion over possible changes in the rules of the game.
In a cagey encounter that saw summer signing Conor Gallagher score after 27 seconds – the fastest goal ever by an Englishman in the history of the UEFA Champions League.
However, it was not the former Chelsea man’s record goal that was at the center for discussion, but rather a controversial decision by VAR to deny Alvarez a goal in the penalty shootout after 120 minutes of breath-sapping football in a much predictable Madrid derby.
The former Manchester City man took to the 12-yard spot to convert a third penalty kick for Atleti but upon a second look by VAR, it was deemed that the Argentine World Cup winner might have marginally hit the ball to his standing left foot before kicking it -beating Thibout Courtois to his right.
It was a game that pushed Simeone’s men to their 60th win against arch-rivals Real Madrid, but bitterly eliminated by the 15-time UCL winners; as Ancelotti’s men won 4-2 on aggregate after the penalty shootout.
It was a decision that Simeone disputes and feels bitter about, after questioning whether or not there was clear evidence to suggest Alvarez had made contact with the ball twice.
“Did you guys see it? Did you see it? Did he or didn’t he touch the ball?” Diego Simeone said.
“Don’t be afraid to speak. Are you afraid because you’re going to be punished? If you’re afraid, don’t say anything. Raise your hand if you think Julian knocked twice. No one? No one. Okay.
“Honestly, I won’t lie to you, being eliminated the way we’ve been is not an easy thing to accept.”
What Does The Rule Say?
The “Laws of the Game” clearly state in Law 14.1 how a penalty kick should be taken, and as such, anything contrary to the law is nullified. It clearly describes the procedures of a penalty kick.
“The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves.”
“The kicker must not play the ball again until it has touched another player.”
Should The Rules Change?
Both Simeone and Atletico Madrid were on the same page—disagreeing with the decision by VAR to disallow the goal. This led to an inquiry with FIFA over the kick from the penalty mark taken by Julian Alvarez at the end of yesterday’s UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid.
In a statement, UEFA confirms Alvarez does make contact with the ball and the rule will be reviewed.
“Although minimal, the player made contact with the ball using his standing foot before kicking it, as shown in the attached video clip. Under the current rule (Laws of the Game, Law 14.1), the VAR had to call the referee signalling that the goal should be disallowed.
“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.”
