Martinez would be out of luck at the WC! New penalty rules outrage the public and the goalkeepers themselves

New rules on penalty kicks have been presented to the world. The news outraged not only football fans but also goalkeepers themselves. The AC Milan goalkeeper reacted humorously to the new rules.

We all have vivid memories of Emiliano Martinez, for example, who did everything possible and impossible to distract the opponents’ players in the World Cup final shoot-out.

In short, distracting and unnerving the playing footballer as much as possible is something that belongs to the preparation for catching penalties.

So often goalkeepers point in the direction the footballer should kick the penalty, jump on the line, talk to the footballer at close quarters as the footballer prepares to punt the ball, or sometimes hold the ball itself in their possession for as long as possible.

That will be over from the new season. New rules have been introduced to the world which prohibit the behaviour just mentioned.

According to the new rules, goalkeepers cannot behave in a way that shows disrespect to the opposing team and unfairly distracts the player.

Another rule refers to behaviour between the three sticks. The goalkeeper must stay on the line, watching the opponent without touching the sticks, crossbar or net. The goalkeeper must not behave between the sticks in any way that will again distract the player who will be taking the penalty.

Mike Maignano’s reaction

It’s clear that the new rules will not be to the liking of the goalkeepers themselves in particular. Mike Maignan, the AC Milan goalkeeper, had a funny reaction to the situation.

He published a post on Twitter in which he predicts the new rules for 2026.

“Year 2026. The goalkeeper must have his back to the shot. In case of a tackle – indirect free kick.”

English lower league goalkeeper Callum Hawkings has also responded to the introduction of the new rules. For a change, he posed the question, what will happen next? Banning the use of hands or jumping?

In short, football is changing and with it comes new rules. The 2005 Champions League final is a perfect example of how the options for catching and taking penalty kicks are evolving.

There, Jerzy Dudek, in the final shootout against AC Milan, performed perhaps everything that is and will be forbidden in modern football.

It will be interesting to see how the goalkeepers get used to the changes, as distracting the opposition is something that comes naturally to some of them and something they are very good at.

Source: Twitter, Givemesport