Peter Schmeichel believes the back-pass rule was implemented because of him.
Goalkeepers are not allowed to handle the ball when receiving a pass or throw-in from a teammate, excluding passes made with body parts other than the foot or leg. The rule was introduced in 1992 as a way to combat time-wasting, and it is widely believed that FIFA introduced the rule in response to the 1990 World Cup, which saw excessive defensive play and a record-low average 2.21 goals per game.
However, former Denmark international Schmeichel posits that it was his antics in the Euro 1992 final against Germany that forced's FIFA's hand — the rule was changed that same year and was first used by leagues worldwide in the 1992-93 season, although it was in place for the 1992 Summer Olympics as well.
- Read More I Saka determined to shed Arsenal's tag as Premier League bridesmaids after PSG victory
- Read More I Defiant Erik ten Hag vows to deliver turnaround at beleaguered Manchester United
“After my first year [at Manchester United] they changed the back pass rule," Schmeichel said while speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.
"I probably was responsible for that because in the European Championship final, every time Brian Laudrup or Flemming Povlsen were at the other end and couldn’t find anyone else to pass it to, the ball [kept being] passed back to me.
"I was waiting with my arms folded until Jürgen Klinsmann came up to me and I picked it up. FIFA looked at that and thought, ‘We have to change that’.”
More Football
- Watch the Champions League on DAZN (Canada & New Zealand)
- Watch the Womens' Champions League on DAZN
Watch Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol live October 12 on DAZN (excluding US and Canada). Click here for details.