Manchester United have become the first Premier League side to feel the impact of a major rule change introduced ahead of the 2025 season.
The incident unfolded at Selhurst Park on Sunday when Jean Philippe Mateta gave Crystal Palace the lead in circumstances that sparked confusion across the stadium.
Mateta went down under a challenge from Leny Yoro in the first half and the referee awarded a penalty. His effort rolled into the bottom corner, and the home crowd celebrated, only for VAR to intervene.
Replays showed Mateta had slipped and struck the ball twice, with it deflecting off his standing foot before finding the net. Under the previous rules, the goal would have been cancelled and United awarded an indirect free kick.
A revision to Law 14, however, now permits a retake if the double touch is accidental and the ball ends up in the net. Because Mateta scored, he was allowed to take the penalty again. He converted comfortably on the second attempt, sending United behind.
The change traces back to a chaotic Champions League shootout in March between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. Julian Alvarez, then with Manchester City before his move abroad, slipped and tapped the ball twice while scoring past Thibaut Courtois. The goal was disallowed and Real progressed after winning the shootout. UEFA pushed for a review, and IFAB amended the law before the new season began.
Referee Rob Jones explained the decision to fans at Selhurst Park, confirming the double touch was accidental and the correct outcome was a retake. Although this was the first application of the rule in the Premier League, it has already surfaced in other competitions. England forward Beth Mead was ordered to retake a similar penalty during the Euro 2025 final, though her second effort was saved.
