Van Dijk’s Response to PSG’s Complaints After Konaté Avoids Red Card
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté avoided a red card during his team’s 1-0 Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, prompting an eight-word reaction from his captain, Virgil van Dijk, at halftime.
Despite PSG dominating possession and creating several chances, they failed to trouble Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker before Harvey Elliott, who had just replaced Mohamed Salah, secured the win with an 87th-minute goal.
With Liverpool now holding the advantage ahead of the second leg at Anfield, PSG players and staff were left frustrated, believing that Konaté, 25, should have been sent off for a collision with Bradley Barcola.
Van Dijk’s Eight-Word Response to PSG’s Protests
As both teams headed to the dressing room at halftime, PSG Football Advisor Luis Campos expressed his anger over the decision, shouting, “It’s a red card or a penalty, in every part of the world.”
Van Dijk’s reply quickly spread across social media, as the Dutch defender appeared to take a subtle jab at Ligue 1, saying:
“Come on, this is not Ligue 1, bro.”
Pundits React to Controversial Call
TNT Sports analysts Ally McCoist and Rio Ferdinand both agreed that Konaté was fortunate to escape punishment. Ferdinand commented:
“That is a foul. I think it might just be outside the box. If that is not a red card, I will be amazed.”
He later added that while Liverpool going down to ten men would have significantly impacted the game, it would have been unfortunate for the tie’s competitive balance.
GOAL reported that Konaté avoided a red card because his challenge wasn’t deemed a “clear and obvious error”—a reasoning similar to Ronald Araújo’s controversial dismissal in PSG’s 4-1 win over Barcelona last year.