The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has made some significant changes to penalty rules after the controversy that rocked the Champions League this season.

Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez was penalised during the Round of 16 clash against cross-city rivals Real Madrid.

The two rivals played out to an enthralling two-all draw after 210 minutes. The first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu ended 2-1 in favour of Los Blancos after Brahim Diaz's goal in the second half.

The second leg was an even more closely fought affair, with Conor Gallagher's early goal forcing the game into extra time and penalty shootouts.

Controversy rocked the shootouts after Julian Alvarez slipped, and his standing leg made slight contact with the ball

The World Cup winner found the back of the net nonetheless, but centre referee Szymon Marciniak ruled it out for a 'double touch.'

UEFA explained that the Argentine had touched the ball twice before hitting it past Thibaut Courtois in the Real goal, which was against the rules.

"Did you guys see it? Did you see it? Did he or didn't he touch the ball? Don't be afraid to speak. Are you afraid because you're going to be punished? If you're afraid, don't say anything. Raise your hand if you think Julian knocked twice. No one? No one. Okay," said an infuriated Atletico Madrid manager, Diego Simeone, after the game as quoted by Sky Sports.

"I just saw the image of the penalty. The referee said that when Julian stepped and kicked, he touched the ball with his foot, but the ball didn't move. That's something to discuss about whether it was a goal or not, but I'm proud of my players."

The rule has now been changed and going forward, any perceived 'double touch' will lead to the penalty being retaken rather than it being disallowed. If the penalty attempt is unsuccessful, the referee will award an indirect free kick to the opposing team.

"The penalty taker accidentally kicks the ball with both feet simultaneously or the ball touches their non-kicking foot or leg immediately after the kick: if the kick is successful, it is retaken," read the communique from IFAB.

"If the kick is unsuccessful, an indirect free kick is awarded (unless the referee plays advantage when it clearly benefits the defending team) or, in the case of penalties (penalty shoot-out), the kick is recorded as missed."

The change has been communicated to all FIFA member associations and will be effective immediately, which means we might see it in play at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.

The UEFA Nations League semi-finals and finals are also slated for this week, with the World Cup qualifiers as well.

In a related report, explained why PSG won't be allowed to keep the Champions League trophy.

The French giants beat Inter Milan 5-0 to win their first title on May 31, but thanks to UEFA rules, they will only get a replica trophy, not the original one.

Only five teams, including record winners Real Madrid, have ever been allowed to keep the original trophy.

Source: TUKO.co.ke