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The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has announced a new set of rules to address accidental double touches during penalty kicks, effective from July 1, 2025. The updated guidance aims to bring greater clarity and fairness to one of football’s most scrutinized moments — the penalty kick.
Under the revised Law 14 of the game, IFAB has distinguished between accidental and deliberate double touches by a penalty taker. The rule change is a direct response to high-profile incidents, most notably involving Atlético Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, whose slip during a Champions League penalty led to a double contact and the goal being disallowed.
Key Rules Effective July 1:
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If the penalty taker accidentally makes contact with the ball twice — for example, slipping and touching it with both feet — and the ball goes into the net, the penalty will now be retaken, rather than disallowed.
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If the accidental double touch does not result in a goal, an indirect free kick will be awarded to the defending team.
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During penalty shootouts, if a goal is scored via an accidental double touch, the attempt is invalid and must be retaken. If the shot does not result in a goal, it is recorded as a miss.
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Deliberate double touches remain illegal and will result in the standard punishment — an indirect free kick to the opposing team or a missed attempt in shootouts.
The new rule interpretation will be applied across all competitions globally starting in July, though some tournaments, such as the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S., may implement them sooner.
This regulatory update is aimed at ensuring that unintentional slips or mishaps during penalties do not unfairly penalize players or alter the outcome of crucial matches. By allowing retakes in genuine cases of accidental double contact, IFAB seeks to uphold the integrity and spirit of the game.
