New IFAB Ruling: Controversial Penalty Decisions in Football Get a Fresh Perspective
In a important shift for football regulations, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has clarified the rules surrounding penalty kicks, particularly considering the controversial disallowed penalty goal by Julián Álvarez against Real Madrid in the Champions League. This new interpretation allows for a re-take if a player accidentally touches the ball twice during a penalty attempt, a change that will take effect from June 5, 2023, in UEFA matches.
The decision comes after Álvarez’s mishap during a tense penalty shootout, where he slipped and inadvertently struck the ball with his standing foot, leading to a goal that was ultimately ruled out by VAR. This incident sparked widespread debate about the existing rules, as referees frequently enough misinterpret such situations due to the lack of explicit guidance in Law 14. The IFAB’s new ruling aims to address these ambiguities, stating that if a player unintentionally touches the ball a second time and it results in a goal, the penalty will be re-taken. However, if the goal is not scored, it will be considered a miss. This change is set to be frist applied in the Nations league semi-final between Germany and Portugal, as well as in the upcoming Club World Cup in the USA, marking a pivotal moment in how penalties are adjudicated in football.
