Gavi Asks to Retake Julián Álvarez's Penalty, Blasts the Rules

Despite the proximity of Matchday 28 of LaLiga, the Champions League controversy remains very present in Spanish soccer. One of the latest to comment on the penalty annulled for a double touch on Julián Álvarez is a player from FC Barcelona: Pablo Gavi.

On the occasion of the match between Atlético de Madrid and FC Barcelona at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, the Barcelona midfielder gave an interview to Movistar. During that conversation with this media outlet, in which several topics were discussed, the controversy of the Champions League round of 16 penalty arose.

Asked about the possible review that UEFA would make on the double touch rule in penalty kicks, Gavi is very candid: "the truth is I don't want to get involved". The FC Barcelona midfielder recalls that "in the end, the referees are the ones who decide and they have that rule" to ensure everything is in order from the penalty spot.

"I don't know how that goes either, but whatever the referee decides...". The FC Barcelona footballer makes it clear that "we'll have to trust them" in the application of a criterion that has caused quite a debate in our country for the past three days.

Honest Opinion

Gavi receives a new question regarding this issue. Because UEFA would be reviewing the possibility of maintaining the penalty if the footballer is falling at the moment of the double touch, a circumstance they ask Gavi about again... and which occurred in Julián Álvarez's penalty kick against Real Madrid.

"It's what I'm telling you, I don't really know how the rules go, but I would do that". The FC Barcelona midfielder points out that "if it touches twice, then repeat the penalty" as some have been requesting since Atlético de Madrid's elimination last Wednesday. While it is true that Gavi argues that the penalty should be repeated, he once again places his trust in the referees' judgment.

"The truth is I don't know how the rules go and let the referees decide," Gavi concludes regarding this refereeing controversy over the double touch in penalty kicks. The opinion of the FC Barcelona midfielder adds to the wave of opinions and debate that has circulated around Szymon Marciniak's decision in the match.

In any case, these words from Pablo Gavi only increase the debates around a decision already made and that, barring a surprise, has no definitive turning back. The possible appeal of the match, recommended by several experts to Atlético de Madrid, is a course of action that the red-and-white club would be considering according to multiple journalists and media outlets.