Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
The second leg of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League Spherical of 16 between Atletico Madrid and Actual Madrid was marred by controversy after Julian Alvarez was accused of touching the ball twice whereas taking a penalty through the decisive shootout. With a rising dialogue, a a number of Ballon d’Or winner weighed in on the controversy, calling UEFA out.
With the combination rating tied at 2-2, the match went to penalties. Alvarez stepped as much as take Atletico’s second try, efficiently discovering the again of the web. Nonetheless, after a prolonged VAR evaluate, the aim was disallowed, in the end costing Atletico Madrid their place within the quarterfinals.
Amongst those that voiced their frustration was three-time Ballon d’Or winner Marco van Basten. The previous Ajax and AC Milan striker took to Instagram to name on UEFA to handle the scenario, firmly believing the choice was incorrect.
“I’m not for Actual or Atletico, however Julian Alvarez touches the ball as soon as. UEFA has an obligation to repair this,” Van Basten wrote. Having beforehand labored as FIFA’s Technical Improvement Director, Van Basten’s opinion carries vital weight, making his name for UEFA’s intervention all of the extra impactful.
England legend Alan Shearer additionally joined the controversy with a fair stronger stance. Talking on The Relaxation Is Soccer podcast, Shearer criticized the choice: “I’ve checked out Julian Alvarez’s penalty shot over 100 instances and I’m nonetheless looking for the conclusive proof that he touched the ball twice. It’s simply whole and utter crap,” Shearer acknowledged bluntly.
see additionally
FIFA’s resolution to finish the controversy surrounding Julián Álvarez’s penalty
Atletico Madrid president rants about VAR
The controversy surrounding Alvarez’s penalty sparked outrage not solely amongst followers and pundits but in addition on the government stage. Talking to Telemundo Deportes, Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo condemned the choice and criticized VAR.
“Julian didn’t contact the ball greater than as soon as, he didn’t even graze it, and we have now footage to show it, however we will’t battle in opposition to the establishments,” Cerezo remarked, expressing his frustration with the ruling. He then voiced his ongoing disapproval of VAR, questioning its reliability:
“I don’t like VAR, but it surely’s not one thing I’m saying simply now; I’ve all the time mentioned it. I’m not criticizing VAR due to the error the opposite day, which was a mistake made by VAR, not the referee. It’s a conflicting instrument, it’s not dependable. All of us believed VAR was launched to make soccer fairer, however I believe it was introduced in to make it extra unfair, trigger extra issues, and enhance criticism towards the referee and VAR,” defined Cerezo.
