Credit: TNT Sports

Oliver Walton

Thu 9 April 2026 6:00, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Ibrahima Konate was fortunate not to concede a penalty for a clear push on Nuno Mendes in the closing stages of Liverpool‘s 2-0 Champions League defeat to PSG.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who believes that referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez should have been recommended to review the incident by the VAR officials.

Konate’s outstretched hand seemed to shove Mendes as he raced into the Reds’ area in the 91st minute of their clash at the Parc des Princes.

PSG wanted a spot kick for the challenge, but Sanchez Martinez waved away their claims and VAR checked and cleared his decision.

Liverpool’s next match comes against Fulham before they face PSG at Anfield in the second leg, and they will feel like they are still in the tie at two goals down, rather than three.

Keith Hackett disagrees with PSG vs Liverpool officials as Ibrahima Konate let off

Konate thought he had given away a penalty in the 70th minute after Sanchez Martinez pointed the spot for his tackle on Warren Zaire-Emery, but the decision was overturned after he was sent to the VAR screen.

The Frenchman’s second incident looked like more of a foul than the first, yet the Spanish officials saw nothing wrong and allowed play to continue for the final two minutes.

Former PGMOL boss Hackett has exclusively told Football Insider that Konate should have conceded a penalty for his push on Mendes due to how it knocked him off balance.

He said: “This was a push by Konate that should have resulted in the award of a penalty kick.

“The subtle push impacted on the forward, who lost balance and went to ground. VAR should have intervened to enable the referee to have a second (view of the) incident.”

What was Hackett’s verdict on the first penalty incident involving Konate?

Football Insider recently revealed that Liverpool want to keep Konate past this summer when his contract expires.

The centre-back will be pleased that he was not at fault for extending PSG’s lead with either potential penalty incident, and Hackett has told Football Insider that VAR were right to overturn the first call.

He said: (This was) a very good intervention by VAR to see that the referee in awarding a penalty kick had made a clear and obvious error. 

“The decision was reviewed and correctly overturned.”