Former Colombia goalkeeper Rene Higuita, pictured in 2019, claims he was the reason that FIFA changed the back pass rule
BOGOTA – Sweeper-keepers such as Manchester City’s Ederson, his Brazilian compatriot Alisson Becker at Liverpool and Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer are all the rage in modern football.
But until FIFA changed the back pass rule 30 years ago, goalkeepers were rarely expected to use their feet to take part in the team’s build-up play other than to punt the ball upfield. They could take their time and throw the ball.
Former Colombia international goalkeeper Rene Higuita — famed for his outrageous overhead scorpion kick — claims he was responsible for the rule change.
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