France goalkeeper Mike Maignan has voiced his frustration with the penalty rules after being penalized for stepping off his line too early during a spot-kick save at Euro 2024.
The 28-year-old AC Milan player initially saved a penalty from Poland’s Robert Lewandowski, but the referee ordered a retake because Maignan had moved off his line before the ball was kicked.
Lewandowski, using a stuttered run-up for both attempts, scored the second penalty, resulting in a 1-1 draw and leaving France in second place in Group D.
A post on Maignan’s Instagram was headlined “as the attacker begins his 87th feint in his run-up,” in reference to the incident.
He also joked: “New Ifab rules for penalties in 2026: Goalkeepers must have their backs turned at the time of the shot. In case of a save, an indirect free-kick.”
Maignan included a link to a story from 2023 about new rules from football’s law-makers Ifab, stating that goalkeepers are not allowed to do anything that “unfairly distracts the kicker”, such as touching the posts or crossbar.
They were already 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 are allowed to feint their run-up but cannot feint taking the kick once the run-up is complete.
Maignan, who has 19 caps, is playing in his first major tournament for France after long-time number one Hugo Lloris retired following the 2022 World Cup.
Their last-16 match will take place in Düsseldorf on Monday, with their opponents to be confirmed after Wednesday’s final group games.