‘Worst sending off EVER’ as commentator is left stunned after VAR review

REFEREE Ruddy Buquet astonished fans, players and commentators alike as he bafflingly sent Metz star Georges Mikautadze off last night.

The Ligue 1 relegation strugglers were in action against Rennes at Stade Saint-Symphorien.

Metz trailed 3-2 in the closing stages, after Arnaud Kalimuendo's 93rd minute goal for the visitors.

Things then went from bad to worse for Laszlo Boloni's side, as talisman Mikautadze was shown a straight red card in the 96th minute.

Replays clearly showed that the Georgian and Kalimendo had innocuously bumped into each other, with the latter going down theatrically.

Mikautadze made his way down the tunnel, only for VAR to instruct Buquet to take another look on the pitchside monitor.

The 47-year-old was then shown the incident a number of times, with an expectation that common sense would prevail and the decision would be overturned.

Mikautadze, 23, clearly expected to be allowed to return, and attempted to make his way back onto the pitch.

Incredibly he was stopped by the fourth official, with Buquet doubling down and sticking to his baffling decision.

Metz went on to lose the crucial match 3-2 to leave them 16th, in Ligue 1's relegation play-off zone, and just three points above the automatic drop.

Mikautadze's controversial red card will now see him ruled out for Metz's pivotal last two matches, if it is not overturned by the LFP.

Boloni, who gave Cristiano Ronaldo his senior debut for Sporting Lisbon more than 20 years ago, will take his team to Strasbourg next time out, before finishing their campaign by hosting Paris Saint-Germain.

Metz's veteran boss, 71, was furious with the officiating after the match.

His side had twice led through goals by Mikautadze and Papa Amadou Diallo, before being pegged