Peter Cech suggests a major rule change for penalties

Among the many, many complaints directed towards VAR this season, penalty kicks have become one of the major talking points.

Not only are more and more penalties being awarded, but the scrutiny that goalkeepers are under when they’re being taken is more intense than ever.

We’ve seen a number of keepers be pulled up for leaving their lines early and penalties retaken due to VAR, something which Peter Cech has understandably not been keen on.

Cech’s comments came after Lukasz Fabianski became the latest to save a penalty, before having to face a retake. Taking to Instagram, Cech highlighted how disadvantaged keepers already are when it comes to spot-kick situations.

“How is any goalkeeper supposed to cover an area of 7m 32cm by 2m 44cm without any foot movement while the players shoot from 12 yards with average speed of 70 mph which takes the ball 0.35 seconds to cross the goal line is beyond my understanding,” Cech wrote.

He went on to suggest a new method of policing penalties, suggesting that refs should make a second line which the goalkeeper must stay behind.

“It is easy to criticise without giving any solution so here it is : CAN THE REFEREE JUST MAKE A SECOND LINE 4 FEET FROM THE GOAL LINE USING THE SPRAY AND THE PENALTY HAS TO BE SAVED IN BETWEEN?”

Could it work? Do we need to alter the rules for how penalties are taken?

Featured image credit: Getty