The European football governing body has stated that it will hold talks with FIFA and IFAB to examine how to implement current rules.

The statement from UEFA on the annulment of Julián Álvarez’s penalty goal during the Champions League Round of 16 second-leg encounter between Atlético Madrid and real madrid could pave the way for a new trend in global sport.

 In response to Atletico Madrid’s request for clarification on why referee Szymon Marciniak disallowed the Argentine’s goal because he touched the “ball with his supporting foot before striking it,” UEFA has proposed amending Regulation 14.1.

At the conclusion of the UEFA Champions League encounter against Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid requested clarification from UEFA regarding the incident that resulted in the annulment of Julián Álvarez’s penalty.

The attached video showed that the player contacted the ball with his supporting foot before striking it, notwithstanding the minor contact.  The VAR was required to notify the referee that the goal should be disallowed in accordance with the current laws (Laws of the Game, Rule 14.1).

 In order to determine if the regulation should be changed in cases where a double contact is obviously unintentional, UEFA plans to start discussions with FIFA and IFAB.

In addition to defending the revocation of Julián Álvarez’s penalty, UEFA’s statement also raises the possibility of rule modifications.  UEFA recognizes that the existing interpretation may be overly stringent in inadvertent scenarios by announcing talks with FIFA and IFAB about whether the rule should be changed in these cases.

 The governing body’s statement may establish a precedent and lead to discussion on whether the rule needs to be changed to stop unintentional behaviors like slipping from deciding the results of matches in important competitions.