sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Fabien Barthez is responsible for some of the greatest penalty mind games ever

Home> Football

Published 16:50 7 May 2023 GMT+1

Fabien Barthez is responsible for some of the greatest penalty mind games ever

The former Manchester United goalkeeper delayed a penalty for as long as humanly possible and then saved the spot kick.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

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.

Advert

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.

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

Ryan Sidle
Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a journalist for SPORTbible with over eight years of experience. Passionate about all sports, he mainly covers football and F1 - Daniel Ricciardo once spent an entire interview referring to him as 'Ryan Gosling,' still his proudest moment.

X

@Sidler28

Recommended reads

Barry Hearn sends message to Ronnie O'Sullivan over snooker future as Crucible prediction madeGettyTyson Fury explains why his 14-year-old son Prince has “no choice” but to become a boxerGettyTyson Fury targets Jon Jones clash as next move after boxing confirmedGetty“I don’t fight for a country” – Michael 'Venom' Page reveals why he won’t walk out with a flag at UFC LondonGeoff Stellfox/Getty Images

Advert

  • Richard Keys claims three Sir Alex Ferguson successors have done better jobs than Erik Ten Hag
  • Manchester United are looking for someone with a university degree to clean their trophies
  • Fans mock ‘desperate’ David Beckham after he paid tribute to King Charles
  • Pundit claims Jordan Pickford's penalty water bottle gave him an 'unfair advantage'

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
4 hours ago
5 hours ago
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    Liverpool choose 'number one target' to replace Mo Salah as alternatives emerge

    Salah announced on Tuesday that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season.

    Football
  • Getty
    2 hours ago

    Hashtag United ask to be relegated from non-league division as statement issued

    Hashtag founder Spencer Owen and the Isthmian League have both released statements.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    4 hours ago

    Ranking the top 10 forwards in Premier League history after Mo Salah confirms Liverpool exit

    Salah will go down as one of the Premier League greats, but where does he rank in our list?

    Football
  • X/@UnfilteredSoccr
    5 hours ago

    Landon Donovan wants US star banned for life after rejecting national team call up

    USMNT legend Landon Donovan wants the player to be blacklisted from the national team following a recent snub.

    Football