Atlético de Madrid has strongly reacted to UEFA’s explanation regarding the disallowed penalty of Julián Álvarez during their Champions League clash against Real Madrid.

The European governing body justified the decision, stating that the Argentine striker made slight contact with the ball using his standing foot before taking the shot, which, according to Law 14.1 of the game, should lead to the goal being ruled out.

UEFA also mentioned that discussions would take place with FIFA and IFAB to assess whether this rule should be revised in cases where the double touch is unintentional. However, Atlético remains unconvinced and outraged by the situation.

In response, the Madrid club issued a statement expressing deep frustration over what they see as an injustice. Atlético acknowledged that an error in the use of VAR does not alter the final result of a match but strongly condemned the impact of the decision on their Champions League campaign. The club emphasized that millions of fans and their players’ hard work were undermined by a controversial ruling. Furthermore, Atlético pointed out the lack of clear footage proving Álvarez’s alleged double touch, which has fueled the controversy even further.

Despite their frustration, Atlético de Madrid made it clear that they will now shift their focus to their upcoming challenges, notably their crucial La Liga match against FC Barcelona. While they refrained from making excuses, their statement highlighted concerns about the application of VAR and the need for improvements to avoid similar incidents in the future. This heated exchange with UEFA adds yet another chapter to the long-standing rivalry between Atlético and Real Madrid, as the aftermath of this controversial decision continues to dominate headlines.