France’s number one goalkeeper Mike Maignan (27) has mocked the new IFAB rules relating to the goalkeeper’s role in the taking of a penalty.
Earlier this week, it was announced by IFAB that goalkeepers would no longer be allowed to delay the taking of a penalty, nor would they be allowed to touch the posts or the crossbars. The overarching philosophy of the changes is to prevent goalkeepers from destabilising the penalty taker, and the ruling notably comes in the wake of Emiliano Martinez’s spot-kick shenanigans for Argentina during the World Cup.
Maignan was recently announced as France’s new number one following Hugo Lloris’ international retirement. The AC Milan shot-stopper saved a last-minute penalty from Netherlands’ forward Memphis Depay during France’s 4-0 victory in yesterday’s Euro 2024 qualifier.
He has now taken to social media to ridicule the IFAB ruling. His tweet reads: “New IFAB penalty rules 2026: Goalkeepers must have their backs to the shot. If the penalty is saved, the opposition gets an indirect freekick.” It is fair to say that Maignan isn’t a fan of the new penalty rules, which further limit goalkeepers’ chances to prevent what is already an extremely high xG chance.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
