The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has announced an amendment to the laws of the game concerning accidental 'double touch' penalty kicks, which will come into effect on July 1.
Referee Szymon Marciniak indicates Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid touched the ball two times when taking his penalty in the shoot-out
Referee Szymon Marciniak indicates Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid touched the ball two times when taking his penalty in the shoot-out
From 1 July, accidental 'double touch' penalty kicks will be allowed to be retaken if the kick was successful, according to the game's lawmakers.
UEFA, European football's governing body, requested a review of the laws concerning these rare instances after Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez had a spot-kick disallowed in a shoot-out against Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16 in March.
The Argentinian player slipped and his standing leg made slight contact with the ball, leading to Real winning the shoot-out.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which sets the sport's laws, has now issued a clarification to Law 14.
Up until now, referees have "understandably" been penalising all such touches as the law does not directly cover what to do in the event of an accidental double touch, said the IFAB.
However, the IFAB stated that Law 14's primary purpose was to deal with deliberate double touches and a clarification has now been sent to all national associations and confederations.
The IFAB recognises it would be unfair not to penalise a double touch at all and allow such kicks to stand as a goal, because goalkeepers can be disadvantaged by the altered trajectory of the ball.
However, it has now clarified that where an accidental 'double touch' kick is scored, it should be retaken.
Where such kicks are unsuccessful, they should either result in an indirect free-kick if they occur during a match, or recorded as missed if they occur in a shoot-out.
It comes as Everton and Liverpool await next season's Premier League fixtures.
The top flight's schedule for 2025/26 is due to be released on Wednesday, 18 June 2025.