UEFA is going to talk to FIFA and IFAB to determine whether the rule that saw Julian Alvarez’s sentence against Real Madrid that will be banned must be revised.
The incident has caused a great deal of debate and has partially led to Atletico Madrid’s crash from the Champions League for sanctions.
Argentine striker Alvarez was found to have kicked the ball twice – essentially kicking it on his permanent leg – which violates Law 14.1.
The referee Szymon Marciniak was informed of what had happened to the VAR and the sentence was removed. Real Madrid won the Shoot-Out 4-2 to move on to a fourth draw with Arsenal.
A closer look at this sentence than Julián Alvarez 😱 pic.twitter.com/hdyuq0teoe
– Football at TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 13 2025
UEFA releases a clearer picture of the Alvarez incident
UEFA posted a statement this afternoon, that included a clearer video of Alvarez that touches the ball twice. The statement said: “Atlético de Madrid asked UEFA about the incident, which led to the ban on kick from the penalty shoot -out by Julián Alvarez at the end of yesterday’s Champions League match against Real Madrid.
“Although a minimum, the player comes into contact with the ball using his permanent leg before kicking it. According to the current rule (game laws, Law 14.1), VAR had to invite the referee who marks that the target must be banned.
“UEFA will introduce discussions with FIFA and IFAB to determine if the rule should be revised in cases where the double touch is clearly unintentionally.”
IFAB is the International Council of Football Union – an organization that sets the rules for the game and will eventually have the finals to open if this law has to change.
Atletico Simeone’s boss was not impressed
Alvarez’s sentence dominated the conversation after the match, and the leader of Atletico Diego Simeone was not convinced that it was the right call.
“I’ve seen the pictures, the referee says Julián touches the ball with his supporting leg, but the ball is not moving,” he said. “This is questionable, whether it was a target or not. But I’m proud of my players, I’m honestly happy because we fought in an exemplary way.
“When Julián kicks (the penalty), the ball doesn’t move a little. I imagine they called Var and saw that he touched it. I want to believe they would have seen he touched it.”
Atleti won 1-0 at night thanks to Conor Gallagher’s goal in the first minute, but could not find a second during a high-quality game but low quality.
“Are you scared why will you be punished?” 🤐
Diego Simeone reacts to Drama Julian Alvarez after Atletico Madrid’s Champions League exit.
UEFA2025 pic.twitter.com/2sndlksuze
– Sky Sports News (@skysportsnews) March 13 2025
Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois believed that the right decision on Alvarez’s spot had been made and both he and his teammates were quick to make their point with the Marciniak field referee.
“I felt he touched the ball twice and told the referee,” the Belgian said. “It’s not easy to see that.”
He was not impressed, however, by Simeone to challenge VAR’s integrity.
“For UEFA, it’s clear. I am sick of this victim, I always cry for such things. The referees do not want to benefit a team or the other in Spain or in Europe, for them it was clear. With technology, in the VAR room they saw it clearly, they have many cameras and many cameras.”
2025-03-13 17:24:00
