IFAB's New Penalty Rule Ends Atletico Madrid's Champions League Controversy

IFAB's New Penalty Rule: Atletico Madrid's Champions League Controversy Resolved Madrid, Spain – A recent decision by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has brought closure to a contentious situation involving Atletico Madrid and a penalty kick during the Champions League. The IFAB's new circular clarifies the rule regarding unintentional double touches on penalty kicks. The ruling states that if a player unintentionally touches the ball twice before it crosses the goal line, the penalty will be retaken. This directly addresses the incident involving Julian Alvarez's penalty, which Atletico Madrid argued should have been retaken. "This decision finally gives us clarity," said an Atletico Madrid spokesperson, although they declined to be named. "The new rule ensures fair play and aligns with the spirit of the game." The incident caused significant controversy and led to Atletico Madrid's elimination from the Champions League. The team's strong reaction fueled the debate, highlighting the need for clear guidelines. The IFAB's new directives, effective July 1, 2025, aim to prevent similar disputes in the future. This ruling will be applied to all competitions starting on that date. The IFAB's decision is a positive step towards ensuring consistency and fairness in the application of football rules, bringing a sense of finality to a previously unresolved issue.