Confused footballer tries to give referee a high five before brutally getting red card

Sports

THE Europa League is never short of entertainment and Thursday’s clash between Bayer Leverkusen and Qarabag was no different.

Qarabag defender Elvin Cafarquliyev hilariously tried to high-five the referee after a VAR decision, thinking he had been spared a yellow card, but was shown a red just seconds later.

Elvin Cafarquliyev was sent off after a VAR review changed his yellow card to red for pulling Jeremy Frimpong’s shirt

Referee Anthony Taylor indicated that the yellow card had been ruled outCredit: https://twitter.com/footballontnt

Cafarguliyev gave Taylor a high-five because he thought he had gotten away with itCredit: https://twitter.com/footballontnt

Instead, Taylor drew a red card and sent the defender off the fieldCredit: https://twitter.com/footballontnt

Cafarguliyev left the field in angerCredit: https://twitter.com/footballontnt

Cafarquliyev was shown a yellow card by referee Anthony Taylor in the 61st minute after it was judged that he had grabbed the shirt of Leverkusen star Jeremy Frimpong, who was through on goal.

Frimpong fell to the ground as a result and after a lengthy VAR check, Taylor subsequently decided that his Cafarquliyev’s yellow card should have been red.

After making the brave decision, the referee signaled with a wave of his hand that the yellow card would no longer stand, leaving Cafarquliyev to think he had gotten off scot-free.

The Azerbaijani international wanted to celebrate by giving Taylor a high five and raised his hand, after which the strict referee reached into his pocket and waved a red card instead.

Cafarquliyev had used the gun thinking he could get away with the tug on his shirt, but was instead sent to an early shower.

Fans couldn’t believe what they saw and shared their reactions on social media.

One wrote: “Straight to the top of the list for funniest football moments ever. Excellent.”

While another said: “Taylor left him hanging and said please, you’re off!”

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A third joked: “I’m on the actual floor.”

And a fourth wrote: “VAR can’t even downgrade the yellows so I’m not sure what he hoped his best case scenario would be there.”

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The one-man deficit initially did not seem to hinder Qarabag as just three minutes after elimination they doubled their lead over Leverkusen to 2-0.

But in the end, Xabi Alonso’s side made the most of their lead, pulling a goal back in the 72nd minute and adding two more through Patrik Schick in stoppage time to win the match 3–2.

Leverkusen not only secured a place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League with the victory, but also kept their 37-match unbeaten run alive.

The Germans are top of the Bundesliga after an exceptional season with Alonso at the helm.

And with a ten-point gap over second-placed Bayern Munich, they look to be on course for a first-ever Bundelsiga title.