Metz star Georges Mikautadze was involved in a bizarre VAR mix-up during their Ligue 1 clash against Rennes.
With Metz losing 3-2 at home to Rennes in the 97th minute, Mikautadze was sent off.
The Metz player, who opened the scoring in the 17th minute, was involved in an altercation with Rennes goal-scorer Arnaud Kalimuendo – who had scored just moments prior.
Kalimuendo threw himself to the floor from minimal contact as he walked past Mikautadze, which baffled spectators as Mikautadze was adjudged to be in the wrong.
However, VAR intervened to send the referee for an on-field check, where he reviewed the footage.
Georges Mikautadze was given a straight red card as Arnaud Kalimuendo appeared to make contact with him
The Metz player sat in the tunnel, confident that the decision would be overturned as the referee was suggested to review the decision
He attempted to return to the pitch, confident the decision was going to be overturned
However, the referee decided that the decision would stand and sent him back down the tunnel
Mikautadze was so confident in the decision being overturned that he sat in the tunnel waiting to return to the field.
With the referee at the monitor, Mikautadze was approached by a member of staff who encouraged him to return from the tunnel as it looked certain that upon review his red card would be revoked.
However, despite the footage clearly showing Kalimuendo’s theatricals, the referee stood by his initial decision, leaving everyone in the stadium shocked.
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.’
As Mikautadze walked back onto the pitch, confident that his red card had been overturned, the commentator continued: ‘Is he coming back? Yes he is! It’s one for the books.
‘Fair play to the referee for going over and looking at it after being told…’
Then, Mikautadze was stopped from re-entering the field of play as the referee waved the game on to continue.
This left the commentator baffled as he said: ‘Actually, no! I thought he was coming back on the field. Now he’s being sent back the tunnel… it’s a straight red card.’
Metz will no doubt appeal the decision as fans couldn’t believe what they had witnessed.