Ibrahima Konate gets away with one! Why Liverpool defender WASN'T shown red card despite shoving PSG's Bradley Barcola over as last man in Champions League clash

Ibrahima Konate avoided being sent off in Liverpool's clash with Paris Saint-Germain, despite appearing to shove Bradley Barcola over as the last man.

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Article continues below

Article continues below

• Konate looked to have fouled Barcola
• No red card given
• Referee initially waved play on

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  During the first half of Liverpool's Champions League clash with PSG, Barcola zipped beyond the Reds backline. As Konate chased back, he shoulder-barged Barcola to the ground right on the edge of the box, but the referee waved play on, and VAR chose against intervening to the extent of recommending a red card for the defender.

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• THE EXPLANATION

  The referee initially played on but VAR did not recommend a red card, seemingly because it was not deemed a clear and obvious error. During the review, VAR did upgrade the severity of the offence before it was eventually cleared. The video assistant referee cannot recommend a yellow card, so, as the foul was not seen as worthy of a sending off, referee Davide Massa had no other option. The decision sparked angry scenes, with PSG sporting director caught on camera berating Massa in the tunnel at half-time.

• AFP
  

  DID YOU KNOW

  Konate had not played for Liverpool in the Champions League since November, when the Reds beat Real Madrid 2-0. Due to injury, he was absent from clashes with Girona, Lille, and PSV Eindhoven.

• WHAT NEXT?

  Liverpool play Southampton this weekend as they return to domestic action. They sit 13 points clear of second-placed Arsenal.