FRANCE’S World Cup warm-up clash against Ivory Coast was halted after Franck Kessie brutally shoulder-barged the referee.
The Ivorian midfielder clattered into Austrian official Sebastian Gishamer as he tried to make himself available for a pass.
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Franck Kessie barged into the official Sebastian Gishamer during the match against France Credit: Reddit
The referee was left on the floor after being clattered Credit: Reddit
Gishamer was left sprawled on the deck after the shocking collision with the former Manchester United transfer target, 29.
The battered ref eventually managed to scramble to his feet but paused the match while he tried to regain his composure.
The bruising blow left Gishamer needing urgent on-field medical attention, with a stretcher even being brought onto the pitch.
Thankfully, he did not need to be carried off and managed to stand his ground before play resumed.
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France and Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe even lent a hand by playing doctor and applying an ice pack to the official’s injury.
The high-tempered match was paused for several minutes before the friendly action could get back underway.
Kessie managed to escape punishment for the barge on the referee as the game was restarted.
Ivory Coast were 1-0 down at the time after an earlier goal from Manchester City star Rayan Cherki.
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The referee was checked on by the players Credit: Reddit
France’s hopes of heading into the World Cup in good form took a blow as the African nation staged a second-half comeback.
Guela Doue levelled the match in the 53rd minute before United winger Amad Diallo fired in the winner six minutes from full-time.
France will have another chance to pick up a win before the World Cup as they face Northern Ireland in a friendly on Monday.
Arsenal star William Saliba was an unused substitute in the match having faced injury concerns.
Medical staff were called on to check out the referee Credit: AFP
Kylian Mbappe even handed Gishamer an ice pack Credit: Reuters
Boss Didier Deschamps has insisted that the Premier League winner’s fitness is not a concern.
He said: “William is fine and will be managed.
“If he had needed to play, he would have played.”
The tournament across Canada, Mexico and the USA is the first to feature Ivory Coast since 2014.
The Elephants will be hoping to reach the knockouts after being dumped out in the group stages in 2006, 2010 and 2014.
They do face a challenge in Group E with four-time winners Germany, impressive South Americans Ecuador and the unknown quantity of Curacao.
