FIFA: 'Anti-Dibu Martinez' Rule Now in Effect for Goalkeepers in All Competitions

Emiliano Martinez - FBL-WC-2022-MATCH64-ARG-FRA

(Photo : KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images) Argentina's goalkeeper (#23) Emiliano Martinez celebrates after his team scored in the penalty shootout during the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022.

FIFA and the International Football Association Board's (IFAB) rule changes regarding goalkeepers during penalties are now in effect in all official competitions worldwide.

🚨💣 There is now the 'anti-Dibu Martinez' rule in football which will be applied to Goalkeepers.

The Goalkeeper is not allowed to provoke the penalty taker, he is not allowed to delay the execution of the penalty or touch the posts, crossbar or goal net. @marca pic.twitter.com/9pioBWQnak
— BeksFCB (@Joshua_Ubeku) July 3, 2023

Dubbed the "Anti-Dibu Martinez Rule," goalkeepers will not be allowed to touch goalposts & nets, delay the execution of the penalties, unfairly distract the penalty taker, and show behaviors that fail to show respect in the new guidelines, which was slated to start on July 1.

FIFA and IFAB agreed on the modifications in the rulebook last March, and official football competitions across Brazil have started implementing it as early as April.

Dibu Martinez saved several penalties in the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Recent World Cup winners Argentina's main goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martinez is the namesake of the rule, and he has saved several penalties in the sport's most prestigious tournament while doing the tactics that FIFA and IFAB have banned.

During the quarterfinal against the Netherlands, Martinez saved two penalties in the shootout to help Argentina advance to the next round.

In the World Cup final against France, he made a crucial save on Randal Kolo Muani's shot on goal in the dying moments of extra time to send the game to penalties.

Using the schemes that are now banned in the rulebook, Martinez was able to save one penalty in the shootout, while another penalty by France went wide as Argentina was crowned World Cup champions after a 4-2 win in the shootout.

The 30-year-old won the tournament's Golden Glove Award.