Georges Mikautadze (23) has had his red card, received during FC Metz’s 3-2 defeat to Stade Rennais, rescinded upon the request of the referee that awarded it, Ruddy Buquet.

Mikautadze got on the scoresheet and gave FC Metz the lead against Rennes, however, Julien Stéphan’s side fought back in the second half before netting an injury-time winner through Arnaud Kalimuendo. To add insult to injury, Buquet then awarded Mikautadze a straight red card in the dying seconds after a relatively innocuous off-the-ball collision with Kalimuendo. 

Buquet was then sent to consult the decision, however, he stayed with his on-field decision after the VAR review, much to the frustration of Metz, and in particular manager Laszlo Bölöni, who was irate post-match.

However, Buquet wrote to the LFP, Ligue 1’s governing body, requesting that Mikautadze’s red card be rescinded. The LFP have followed Buquet’s advice and Mikautadze will now be free to face local rivals RC Strasbourg Alsace this weekend. It is a big boost for Les Grenats, who are fighting for survival at the bottom of Ligue 1. Bölöni’s side currently occupy the relegation play-off place with two games remaining.