Crystal Palace’s clash with Manchester United had no shortage of drama and Jean-Philippe Mateta was right at the heart of it.
The French striker coolly tucked away a penalty in the first half after being fouled by Leny Yoro, only for VAR to step in and rule the goal out.
Replays showed Mateta had touched the ball twice, a nightmare scenario for any striker.
Normally, that would have been the end of it. Goal chalked off, no retake, play on. But this time, Mateta was handed a lifeline.
SO WHAT CHANGED?
Earlier this year, IFAB (the body that sets football’s laws) updated the rules after a controversial Champions League shootout saw Julian Alvarez’s penalty for Atletico Madrid ruled out for a double touch. Fans and players alike felt it was unfair.
THE NEW GUIDANCE MAKES A KEY DISTINCTION:
Accidental double touches (like slipping and hitting the ball with both feet, or clipping it with your standing leg) can be retaken if the ball goes in.
Deliberate double touches (like trying to play the ball again before anyone else touches it) are still punished, indirect free kick or recorded as a miss in a shootout.
In short: if it’s a slip, you get another go. If it’s deliberate, tough luck.
BACK TO SELHURST PARK
VAR confirmed Mateta’s first strike was accidental, he simply lost his footing. That meant he was allowed to retake, and he made no mistake the second time, firing past Senne Lammens to give Palace a 1-0 lead before the break.
Selhurst erupted, United were stunned, and fans had a brand-new rule to debate.