UEFA explains referee decision after PSG-Liverpool VAR controversy

Liverpool was on the receiving end of a VAR decision in its Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Paris Saint-Germain, with Ibrahima Konate's foul overturned

Ibrahima Konate challenged Warren Zaire-Emery(Image: Getty Images)

UEFA has explained VAR's intervention to reverse a penalty originally given to Paris Saint-Germain during the second half of its encounter with Liverpool on Wednesday.

The French team faced the English side in the opening leg of the Champions League quarterfinal at the Parc des Princes. Trailing 2-0 at that point, following strikes from Desire Doue and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, Liverpool's day threatened to deteriorate further in Paris 70 minutes into the match.

Ibrahima Konate was adjudged to have fouled Warren Zaire-Emery inside the Liverpool box, making contact from behind as the PSG midfielder tumbled to the turf. While Jose Maria Sanchez instantly blew his whistle and pointed to the spot before showing Konate a yellow card, VAR promptly stepped in to question the referee's initial judgment.

Footage of the incident revealed Konate had actually made contact with the ball prior to bringing down Zaire-Emery. Following a brief assessment, Sanchez returned to the pitch to reverse his verdict.

Consequently, he withdrew Konate's caution and instead awarded a free-kick to Liverpool. Shortly afterward, UEFA offered clarification via its live Champions League blog.

UEFA stated: "Decision overturned: no penalty. Penalty cancelled - no foul. Liverpool player, No5, challenged the ball in a fair manner without committing a foul on the opponent."

PSG enjoyed a 2-0 win over Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Elsewhere, pundits covering the match were swift to offer their views on whether the penalty should have been given initially. Speaking on TNT Sports, Ally McCoist remarked: "I thought it looked a brilliant challenge.

"It looked as though he brought his leg round. He comes from behind. I think he probably knocks him first. He just knocks him."

Meanwhile, Paul Robinson observed: "Ibrahima Konate has got on the wrong side and he gets caught not being goal-side. Konate comes around the side and he does get a piece of the ball, but I feel he gets Warren Zaire-Emery first."

Stephen Warnock remained somewhat unconvinced. He commented: "I am still not sure if that's a penalty or not. I want to see that challenge again, from behind — that's the angle. Konate makes contact with Zaire-Emery first — he brushes his thigh before he gets the ball, but I am not sure it is enough to bring him down."

Despite the decision going Liverpool's way, it proved insufficient to prevent a damaging 2-0 defeat against Les Parisiens. Arne Slot's Reds will fortunately get the chance to make amends when the two sides clash again in the quarterfinals of Europe's elite club competition at Anfield in the return leg.

That fixture is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14. Next up for Liverpool, though, is a resumption of Premier League duties against Fulham on Saturday, April 11.

The Reds will be eager to finish strongly in their remaining seven league games as they bid to secure Champions League football for the 2026/27 campaign. At the time of writing, the Reds sit fifth in the Premier League table, just five points adrift of the top four.

Alongside their forthcoming encounter with Fulham, matches against Everton, Crystal Palace, Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford present the club with ample opportunity to climb the standings before the season concludes in May.