Double touch rule to change? UEFA issues statement on Atletico star Julian Alvarez's controversially disallowed penalty against Real Madrid in Champions League clash

Real Madrid booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the tournament after beating city rivals Atletico in a shootout on Wednesday. However, there was plenty of drama in the Spanish capital as Alvarez saw his kick disallowed by VAR for a double touch. UEFA has now issued an update on the situation and provided confirmation the rule could now be updated.

A statement read: "Atletico de Madrid enquired with UEFA over the incident, which led to the disallowance of the kick from the penalty mark taken by Julián Alvarez 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 decision to rule out Alvarez's penalty was questioned by Atletico after the game. Alvarez appeared to slip while taking the kick and manager Diego Simeone felt it was impossible to tell whether he had touched the ball twice: "I've just seen the images, the referee says Julián touches the ball with his supporting leg, but the ball doesn't move. That's debatable, whether it was a goal or not. But I'm proud of my players, I'm honestly happy, because we competed in an exemplary way."

Any extra contact from Alvarez was minimal at best and it's difficult to see what, if any, advantage the Argentine gained. However, Atletico's decision to contact UEFA over the incident may now bring about a change to the rules.

Of course any potential rule change will come too late for Atletico who were dumped out of the competition, while Real Madrid go on to face Arsenal in the quarter-finals. Diego Simeone's men will aim to bounce back on Sunday in a huge La Liga clash with Barcelona.