UEFA has announced that it will “enter discussions with FIFA and IFAB” over a possible rule change following the controversial disallowed penalty in Atlético Madrid’s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Real Madrid advanced to the quarterfinals after winning a 4-2 penalty shootout at the Metropolitano, following a 2-2 aggregate draw over two legs. They will now face Arsenal in the next round.

Antonio Rüdiger

A key moment in the shootout saw Julián Álvarez’s penalty disallowed after VAR determined that the Atlético forward had kicked the ball twice—once with each foot—as he slipped before scoring past Thibaut Courtois.

Atlético Protest Decision as Courtois Responds

The decision sparked protests from Atlético players and head coach Diego Simeone, who insisted that “the ball doesn’t move” and challenged journalists in his post match news conference.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, however, dismissed Atlético’s complaints, saying:

“They are always crying.”

UEFA Releases Footage and Statement

Julián Álvarez

On Thursday, UEFA released frame-by-frame footage showing “minimal” contact by Álvarez’s standing leg before he struck the ball.

In an official statement, UEFA confirmed that Atlético Madrid had asked for clarification on the decision:

“Atlético de Madrid enquired with UEFA over the incident, which led to the disallowance of the kick from the penalty mark taken by Julián Álvarez at the end of yesterday’s UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid.”

“Although minimal, the player made contact with the ball using his standing foot before kicking it, as shown in the attached video clip.”

“Under the current rule (Laws of the Game, Law 14.1), the VAR had to call the referee, signalling that the goal should be disallowed.”

“UEFA will enter discussions with FIFA and IFAB to determine whether the rule should be reviewed in cases where a double touch is clearly unintentional.”

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which governs the laws of the game, will be involved in any proposed rule changes.

Confusion Inside the Stadium

The incident caused confusion among spectators inside the Metropolitano, as many were initially unaware that the penalty had been disallowed.

Simeone and Atlético players continued their postmatch protests, with the club still searching for their first Champions League victory over Real Madrid.

Atlético’s struggles against their city rivals in the competition include:


2014 final loss
2016 final loss
2017 semifinal elimination


Wednesday’s match saw Atlético take the lead in the second leg after just 27 seconds through a goal from Conor Gallagher, but it was not enough to prevent another heartbreak at the hands of Real Madrid.