Fabien Barthez is responsible for some of the greatest penalty mind games ever
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Manchester United cult hero Fabien Barthez once produced some incredible penalty mind games to deny Fulham a goal from a spot kick.
Goalkeeper 'sh*thousery' at penalties has long been attempted but it's been in the headlines much more in recent months, thanks in the main to Emiliano Martinez.
The Argentina number one was noted for his impressive dirty tactics during the World Cup, especially when it came to the shootout in the final, against France.
In fact, so impactful was the Aston Villa number one, that FIFA have decided that the rules need to be changed to stop goalkeeper's having some sort of advantage.
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Considering it's a free shot from 12 yards, and keeper's aren't allowed to move off the spot until the attempt is struck, it's not exactly like they get too many advantages.
The idea of changing the rules certainly amused new France number one, Mike Maignan, who you might have thought would agree with the measures, after his side lost the final.
It's not like Martinez is the only keeper to have ever tried something like that at a penalty, and one of the best examples comes from Barthez.
Back in 2002, the United keeper stayed standing by his post for so long it earned him a yellow card, but it might have got in Steed Malbranque's head, with the Fulham player having his spot kick saved by his fellow Frenchman.
#OTD in 2002, Fabien Barthez's fantastic shithousery forced a penalty miss from Malbranque for Fulham. #MUFC 🇾🇪pic.twitter.com/EfrbT3AfNE
— Sujal Swain (@officialsujal10) October 19, 2021
United required an equaliser from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, after Steve Marlet had put the Cottagers ahead, in order to earn a point at Craven Cottage, back in October 2002.
Malbranque could have given his side all three points, especially as the referee actually blew the whistle for the spot kick to be taken.
After that match, Fulham assistant manager Christian Damiano was asked if the United goalkeeper had behaved correctly, "No," Damiano said, "He profited from the situation. You might say it's cheating, I don't know.
"We could have exploited the situation and could have won against a great team."
It seems that United keepers have been learning from Barthez ever since, with David de Gea accused of using some 'dark arts' before Solly March missed his penalty, in the recent FA Cup semi-final.
Whilst fans needed eagle eyes to spot the Spaniard's 'sh*thousery,' Wout Weghorst proved that outfield players can also help with the task of putting off rival takers, in a much less subtle way.
Featured Image Credit: Twitter
Topics: Football, Manchester United, Fulham, Premier League
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