UEFA has officially released new footage confirming that Julián Álvarez’s penalty in Manchester City’s Champions League clash against Atlético Madrid was illegal.
The video evidence shows Álvarez unintentionally striking the ball twice, leading to the goal being disallowed under Law 14.1. The ruling has sparked debate over the fairness of existing penalty regulations.
The footage, analysed by UEFA’s refereeing committee, captures Álvarez’s standing foot making slight contact with the ball before his main strike.
As per the IFAB rules, a player taking a penalty must not touch the ball twice before another player has made contact. Since no defender or goalkeeper interfered, the double touch invalidated the goal.
🚨 More footage of Julian Alvarez’s penalty.
You decide if it was a double touch.pic.twitter.com/NOSpf3Rlhx
— ExploreBharat (@ExploreBharat47) March 13, 2025
VAR confirms double touch in controversial Champions League tie
The incident occurred in the 68th minute when Manchester City were awarded a penalty after a foul on Kevin De Bruyne inside the box.
Álvarez stepped up and converted, but a closer VAR review flagged the double touch. Referee Daniele Orsato consulted the replay and ultimately ruled the goal out, keeping the score level at 1-1 at that moment.
UEFA’s statement clarified: “Upon reviewing additional footage, it has been confirmed that the penalty taker made two successive contacts with the ball. As per Law 14 of the Laws of the Game, this constitutes an infringement and the goal must be disallowed.”
Following the disallowed goal, Atlético Madrid capitalised on the momentum shift and scored in the 79th minute through Antoine Griezmann. The match ended 2-1 in favour of Atlético, dealing a crucial blow to Manchester City’s Champions League campaign.
UEFA in discussions with IFAB over potential rule changes
The controversy has reignited discussions on penalty rules, particularly regarding unintentional double touches. UEFA is now engaging with FIFA and IFAB to reassess whether the regulation should be modified.
Former referee Mark Clattenburg commented on the situation: “It’s a harsh rule, but technically correct. A double touch is an infringement, even if accidental. This situation raises the question of whether the rule should be more flexible.”
🚨 OFFICIAL: UEFA statement on Julián Álvarez penalty.
“Atlético de Madrid enquired with UEFA over the incident, which led to the disallowance of the kick from the penalty mark taken by Julián Alvarez at the end of yesterday’s UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid”.… pic.twitter.com/wOPeMpkzf6
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 13, 2025
Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, expressed frustration over the ruling: “Rules are rules, but this is a grey area. If the touch is accidental, should the goal really be disallowed?”
With UEFA reviewing the case, changes to penalty laws may be on the horizon. For now, Álvarez’s disallowed goal remains one of the most controversial VAR rulings of the season.
