France goalkeeper Mike Maignan expressed his frustration with penalty rules after being penalized for coming off his line early during a save in a Euro 2024 match. The AC Milan player, aged 28, successfully blocked a penalty from Poland’s Robert Lewandowski, but it was retaken because he had strayed off his line before the kick.
Maignan joked about new potential penalty rules for 2026, suggesting that goalkeepers should have their backs turned at the time of the shot, with an indirect free-kick being awarded in case of a save. He also referenced the excessive number of feints used by the attacker in the penalty incident and humorously stated that it would be better to let them take the kick without any distractions.
In a post on his Instagram, Maignan highlighted a 2023 story about new Ifab rules, stating that goalkeepers must not do anything to unfairly distract the kicker during a penalty. They are required to have at least part of one foot touching, in line with, or behind the goal line when the ball is kicked. Penalty takers can feint during their run-up but cannot feint taking the kick once the run-up is complete.
With 19 caps for France, Maignan is participating in his first major tournament for the national team following Hugo Lloris’ retirement after the 2022 World Cup. France’s next match in the last-16 will be held in Dusseldorf on Monday, with their opponents set to be determined after Wednesday’s final group games.
