Brazil are already using the ‘Anti-Dibu Martínez’ rule for goalkeepers during penalties: what is it?

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) and FIFA both decided in March that 7 rules of football would be modified. Of those seven, include rule number 14, which regulates the behaviour of the goalkeeper during a penalty being taken. It is what is known as the ‘Anti-Dibu Martínez’ rule, and it will be put into practice in all official competitions as of July this year, when the new 23-24 season officially begins.

However, it will be used before then, specifically in the Brasileirao and the Brazilian Cup, which start this weekend. The Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) have decided to bring forward the rule and begin to use it this very weekend, both in the cup and the league competitions in the country.

What does the new rule say about goalkeepers?

Rule 14 states that, as of July 1st, the goalkeeper must not behave in any illegal way that distracts the penalty taker, such as delaying the penalty being taken or touching the posts, the crossbar or the net.

This modification comes after the controversy generated from the behaviour of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who, with Argentina at the World Cup 2022 and Copa América 2021, caused a stir thanks to his unique behaviour before penalty shootouts.

In the Copa América, Martínez distracted Yerry Mina before his penalty, causing him to miss; he did the same with Van Dijk and Berghuis in the World Cup quarter-finals, as well as Tchouaméni in the final.

Dibu’s attitude has provoked criticism from other footballers, including France legend Hugo Lloris, who said to L’Équipe: “there are things I don’t know how to do. Doing silly things in goal, destabilising the opposition player to the limit, I don’t know how to do do that. I am too rational, too honest to go there. I don’t know how to win like that, even if I really didn’t want to lose, I still wouldn’t.”