Georges Mikautadze

VAR Mistake: Georges Mikautadze makes way back to pitch after thinking red card overturned

Sportsdunia Desk

Metz forward Georges Mikautadze was harshly sent off when the French side trailed 3-2 in the closing stages of the game. The referee refused to overturn the decision after taking a look on the pitchside monitor.

What is the recent VAR controversy in France?

In a game between Rennes and relegation-threatened Metz, there was a huge controversy when Mikautadze was shown a straight red card in the 96th minute. After a 93rd-minute goal from the opposition, Metz were trailing 3-2 in the dying embers of the tie.

The usage of VAR in recent times has stirred controversy in the Premier League and a few other European leagues. Some costly mistakes has caused an uproar among the fans and the clubs.

Arnaud Kalimuendo was involved in an altercation with Georges Mikautadze, to which the former theatrically threw himself on the floor. Mikautadze received a red card for the incident and the referee was advised to take a closer review on the pitchside monitor.

Mikautadze who joined Metz on loan from Ajax in the January transfer window waited in the tunnel with the assumption that the decision would be overturned. Everyone including the striker expected that common sense would prevail in the referee and his decision would be overturned.

The Georgian was seen heading back to the pitch before he was stopped by the fourth official, with the referee standing by his initial decision and leaving everyone in the stadium shocked.

One TNT Sports commentator said: ‘Kalimuendo if anything deserves a yellow card for that.

‘Let’s hope the call is right. Let’s hope he gets called back in and scores a late goal! He just stood there.’

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