End to the debate over two touches in penalty kicks: the rule is changed after Julián's incident

The double-touch penalty by Julián Álvarez against Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 continues to generate debate. The controversy has prompted IFAB to decide to modify the regulations starting July 1, 2025. The organization has decided to take action to prevent future controversies.

"This is an unusual situation and, since it's not directly regulated in Law 14, referees have understandably chosen to penalize the kicker for playing the ball a second time before another player touched it. Thus, they award an indirect free kick to the opposing team or, in the case of penalty shootouts, record the kick as missed", they explain.

The modification will mean that the kick will be retaken whenever it's confirmed that the taker has touched the ball twice unintentionally. Previously, as happened in the Argentine's case, the penalty was considered missed regardless of whether the action was intentional or not.

Will there be any kind of sanction?

Additionally, IFAB makes clear the types of sanctions if a play of this kind happens again in the future:

• If the ball goes into the goal, the penalty will be retaken.

• If the ball doesn't go into the goal, an indirect free kick will be awarded to the defending team.

• In the case of penalty shootouts, the kick will be considered missed.

If the kicker deliberately strikes the ball with both feet at the same time, or plays it a second time intentionally before another player touches it:

• An indirect free kick will be awarded to the defending team (unless the referee applies the advantage).

• In penalty shootouts, the kick will be considered missed.

Therefore, it's important to note that a kick like Julián Álvarez's, in a penalty shootout, won't count. If it happens to be a penalty during the ninety minutes (90 min) or extra time, the kick will have to be retaken.