Soccer law on penalty kicks updated after Champions League incident helped oust Atletico
ZURICH (AP) — The laws of soccer on taking a penalty kick were clarified on Tuesday after Julián Alvarez's accidental double touch helped to eliminate Atletico Madrid from the Champions League.
The update published by FIFA-backed rules panel IFAB means the kind of penalty Átletico forward Álvarez had disallowed after scoring in a shootout against Real Madrid in March should now be retaken.
Álvarez slipped and kicked the ball against his standing left foot in the shootout in the Champions League round of 16.
After the looping ball beat Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for an apparent score, the goal was ruled out by a video review and Atletico ultimately lost the shootout.
The laws of soccer relating to the penalty kick and penalty shootout were seen as correctly applied in Madrid in March though too vaguely worded. The incident was widely judged to have been unfair as Álvarez did not deliberately slip and take the double touch to gain an advantage.
'This situation is rare, and as it is not directly covered in Law 14, referees have understandably tended to penalize the kicker,' IFAB said in a statement. 'However, this part of Law 14 is primarily intended for situations where the penalty taker deliberately touches the ball a second time before it has touched another player.'
IFAB clarified in a circular letter to soccer stakeholders that a penalty kick which is scored now after an accidental double touch should be retaken.
A double-touch penalty that is not scored will not be retaken. In a shootout, such a penalty 'is recorded as missed,' IFAB said, and during regulation time or extra time a free kick can be awarded to the defending team.
The clarified rule will apply at the Club World Cup which starts on June 14 in the United States. The 32-team lineup includes Atletico.
IFAB is comprised of FIFA plus the four British soccer federations. Rules can be changed with six of the eight votes which are distributed by four to FIFA and one each to the British.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer in this topic
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
29 minutes ago
- The Hill
Rwanda to accept hundreds of migrant deportees in bid to ‘strengthen relations' with US
Rwandan leaders said Tuesday the country would accept 250 deportees from the United States as the Trump administration continues its crackdown on illegal immigration. 'Those approved (for resettlement in Rwanda) will be provided with workforce training, healthcare, and accommodation support to jumpstart their lives in Rwanda, giving them the opportunity to contribute to one of the fastest-growing economies in the world over the last decade,' Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told The Associated Press. A White House official said the deal is an opportunity to remain 'constantly engaged in diplomatic conversations with foreign nations who are willing to assist us in removing the illegal aliens,' which has remained a top objective for President Trump since he entered the Oval Office in January. The agreement with Rwanda was originally signed in June and officials have already identified 10 people to be vetted for removal, Reuters reported. Since the start of Trump's second administration, migrants have been deported to multiple third-party countries, including Eswatini, Djibouti and South Sudan. Others were sent to El Salvador's CECOT prison, where inmates have alleged human rights violations are occurring. Immigrant advocates have raised concerns with U.S. deportees being removed to Rwanda amid their ongoing conflict with the Congo. Trump has been involved in conversations to end that fighting and announced that his administration brokered a peace deal between the two countries in June. But leaders urged the president to ' stay committed ' to enforcing the agreement moments after the ink dried. Some say Rwanda's new deal to receive immigrants will deepen its ties to Washington. 'This agreement enhances Rwanda's strategic interest of having good relationships with the Trump administration,' Gonzaga Muganwa, a Rwandan political analyst, told AP. He said, 'appeasing President Trump pays.' Rwanda was globally spotlighted in 1994 after a genocidal conflict left 800,000 dead in the country. Decades later, its leaders agreed to begin accepting deportees from Europe in 2017 and the United Kingdom in 2022. The UK agreement went sour after Prime Minister Keir Starmer was elected and legal challenges were brought against the policy. The shift cost the country's government around $900 million in public money, including approximately $300 million in payments to Rwanda per the AP.
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Federal judge rules Trump administration cannot reallocate billions meant for disaster mitigation
BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday blocked the Trump administration from reallocating $4 billion meant to help communities protect against natural disasters. U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns in Boston granted a preliminary injunction sought by 20 Democrat-led states while their lawsuit over the funding moves ahead. The states argue the Federal Emergency Management Agency lacks the authority to end the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program and redirect more than $4 billion of its funding. The program aims to harden infrastructure around the country against potential storm damage. FEMA initially announced it was ending the program, but later said in a court filing that it was evaluating it. 'Although the Government equivocates about whether it has, in fact, ended the BRIC program, the States' evidence of steps taken by FEMA to implement the announced termination portend the conclusion that a determination has in fact been made and that FEMA is inching towards a fait accompli,' Stearns wrote in his ruling. 'The agency has cancelled new funding opportunities and informed stakeholders that they should no longer expect to obtain any unobligated funds.' Noting money for the program was allocated by Congress, the states' lawsuit says any attempt to redirect it would run afoul of the Constitution. A lawyer for the government, Nicole O'Connor, argued at a hearing in July that the funds can be used both for disaster recovery and disaster prevention and that FEMA should have discretion to use the money how it sees fit. The program has provided grants for a range of disaster management projects, including strengthening electrical grids, constructing levees for flood protection and relocating vulnerable water treatment facilities. Many of the projects are in rural communities. FEMA said in a news release in April that it was 'ending' the program, but the agency's acting chief, David Richardson, later said in a court filing that FEMA was merely evaluating whether to end or revise it. The states, including California, New York and Washington, argue that the threat of losing the funding alone has put numerous projects at risk of being cancelled, delayed or downsized. And they warn ending the program would be highly imprudent. 'By proactively fortifying our communities against disasters before they strike, rather than just responding afterward, we will reduce injuries, save lives, protect property, and, ultimately, save money that would otherwise be spent on post-disaster costs,' they wrote in the suit filed in July. FEMA said in a court filing an injunction on its use of the funds could hamper its ability to respond to major disasters. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Newcastle Struggle to Find Momentum as Summer Plans Stall
Newcastle's Summer in Flux as Transfer Plans Stall and Isak Uncertainty Grows Transfer Inactivity and Internal Instability Raise Concerns As Newcastle United approach the start of a new season, the momentum built through recent campaigns has stalled. The Athletic's in-depth analysis paints a picture of a club stuck between ambition and dysfunction, navigating the market while juggling absences in key executive roles. Darren Eales, diagnosed with blood cancer, is on medical leave. His replacement as chief executive has not yet been named. Paul Mitchell, the sporting director, has departed. 'It means, for the second summer in succession, there is a huge flux at the top of the club.' This kind of uncertainty can filter down. It has. Transfer activity has been sparse, with only two senior signings completed: Aaron Ramsdale arriving on loan from Southampton, and Antonio Cordero immediately loaned out. For a club that finished in Europe last season, this is not the kind of transfer window fans expected. Midfield Depth and Centre-Forward Vacancy Remain Problematic The decision to sell Sean Longstaff to Leeds United has left Eddie Howe's midfield options stretched. 'Having sold Sean Longstaff to Leeds United, Howe's options in midfield are thinner, particularly with Joe Willock now out for between four and six weeks with a calf injury. Ideally, there would be reinforcements here, too, although little has been ideal about this summer.' Photo IMAGO Reinforcements have not been forthcoming. In pre-season, the lack of an experienced striker has been exposed. William Osula and Anthony Gordon have filled in, but neither is equipped to lead the line long term. Howe has repeatedly said the club must act quickly in the market. Those words, uttered with clarity after clinching Champions League qualification, now seem haunting: 'We have to be ready to conclude things very quickly because good players don't hang around for long.' Newcastle's primary attacking target remains Benjamin Sesko. An initial €80m offer was rejected by Leipzig, but positive talks have taken place, with co-owner Jamie Reuben directly involved. That pursuit continues, though Manchester United remain strong contenders. Isak's Future Overshadows Squad Planning The transfer window's defining narrative at St James' Park revolves around Alexander Isak. Liverpool's £110m bid was rejected, falling £40m short of Newcastle's valuation. Isak trained away from the squad in Spain before returning to Newcastle's facilities. His attitude will dictate whether he is reintegrated or moved on. Photo: IMAGO As The Athletic notes, 'All roads lead back to Isak.' Howe's pointed comment, 'No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal,' was broad, but the subtext was clear. If Isak departs, Newcastle's hand is forced. A new striker would be imperative, with Sesko becoming not just an ideal partner but a necessary replacement. And even if he stays, the squad needs depth. Infrastructure and Identity Questions Linger Off the pitch, Newcastle's long-term projects have slowed. There has been 'no tangible movement on a new stadium or training ground.' These aren't small matters. But the lack of visible progress undermines the club's wider vision, especially at a time when fans are watching other 'Big Six' clubs complete ambitious deals. Ultimately, this summer has been shaped by hesitation, disruption and missed opportunities. There is still time, but optimism is thinning. Our View – EPL Index Analysis For Newcastle fans, this summer has been deeply frustrating. After building so much momentum over the last 18 months, qualifying for Europe and showing genuine progress under Eddie Howe, it now feels like we've stalled. And not just stalled, but regressed. Losing Sean Longstaff, even for good money, made sense in isolation, but not without a plan to replace him. Joe Willock's injury just adds to the problems. The midfield is bare and there are holes all over the squad. The biggest concern is clearly up top. Isak is world-class, but if he wants out, we need clarity. Watching him train alone while Liverpool circle is uncomfortable. Either he commits, or the club moves him on and acts decisively. So far, we've done neither. We're also not blind to what's going on upstairs. The lack of a sporting director and CEO is affecting everything. Transfers are slow, targets are slipping through. This has happened before. The feeling is familiar. The fans will keep backing Howe, the players, and the badge, but the ambition needs to return. The window's not closed yet, but the clock is ticking louder each day.
