By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
European football’s governing body UEFA will start discussions with FIFA and International Football Association Board (Ifab) to review whether penalties scored should stand when double touches are unintentional.
During a penalty shootout in Atletico Madrid’s last-16 tie with rivals Real Madrid, Julian Alvarez slipped before scoring past Thibaut Courtios.
However, following a review by the video assistant (VAR) referee, the goal was ruled out becaue the Argentine forward was deemed to have touched the ball twice and Real went through after winning the shootout 4-2.
Uefa said that despite the law being applied correctly in Madrid, it would review the current rules with the Ifab and world governing body Fifa regarding cases where a double touch is “clearly unintentional”.
Article 14.1 of Ifab’s laws around a penalty states: “The kicker must not play the ball again until it has touched another player.”
In a statement, Uefa said: “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.”
Atletico have lost all six of their penalty shoot-outs against neighbours Real Madrid in all competitions.