Already leading 2-0 at the time thanks to goals from Desiree Douai and Kvitya Kvaratskeria, Liverpool’s night looked like it was about to get even worse in the French capital after 70 minutes. Ibrahima Konate appeared to have fouled Warren Zaire-Emery inside Liverpool’s box and was sanctioned for contacting the PSG midfielder from behind as he tumbled onto the grass.
Referee Jose María Sánchez immediately blew his whistle and pointed to the penalty spot before showing Konate a yellow card and forcing VAR to intervene and question the original decision.
Footage of the incident revealed that Konate was actually in possession of the ball, and Sanchez returned to the pitch after a quick assessment to overturn the decision.
As a result, he canceled Konate’s yellow card and awarded Liverpool a free kick. UEFA then quickly provided an explanation on its Champions League live blog.
They said, “The decision was overturned. There was no penalty. The penalty was rescinded. There was no foul.”
“Liverpool’s number five challenged the ball in a fair manner without committing a foul on the opponent.”
Elsewhere, pundits watching the match were quick to share their opinions on whether the spot kick had been awarded correctly in the first place.
Ally McCoist told TNT Sports: “I thought it was a great challenge.
“It looked like he twisted his leg. He came from behind. I think he probably knocked him first. He just knocked him.”
Paul Robinson said: “Ibrahima Konate was on the wrong side and was caught when he wasn’t on goal side.
“Konate will come out wide and certainly win the ball, but I feel like he will get Warren Zaire-Emery first.”
Stephen Warnock is also a little more convincing. He said: “I still don’t know if that was a penalty or not. I’d like to see that challenge from behind again. That’s the angle.”
“Konate first makes contact with Zaire-Emery. He strokes his thigh before receiving the ball, but I don’t know if that’s enough to beat him.”
Although the decision went Liverpool’s way, it proved not to be enough to stop a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Les Parisiens.
