Players, coaches and supporters were left bemused after Exeter Chiefs wing Olly Woodburn was sent off after attempting to prevent Leicester Tigers winger Chris Ashton from scoring a try.
With the Tigers leading 22-12 at the time, No. 8 Jasper Wiese broke clear which eventually resulted in former England wing Ashton sliding over at the far right-hand corner. As Ashton crossed, he was tackled by Stuart Hogg before Woodburn dived in to help the Scotland full-back prevent another Leicester try.
Initially it looked as if the score was going to be disallowed, with the replays showing Ashton's foot had brushed the touchline, but referee Karl Dickson decided Woodburn had dived on Ashton and prevented him from scoring, with a penalty try awarded as a result.
To make matters worse, Woodburn received a second yellow card (his first one was for a deliberate knock-on) resulting in a red, with Exeter going on to get thrashed 62-19 at Welford Road.
There has been a public outcry over Dickson's decision to give Woodburn his marching orders, with Test stars and former players publicly criticising the decision.
WalesOnline columnist and former international referee Nigel Owens took to Twitter to give his thoughts on the incident. He tweeted: "Personally if we penalise this then every player will now dive on the ground from 5m out and slide over knowing that it's virtually impossible to defend it. He doesn't dive on him so for me play on." He added: "Forget for a minute whether you think it’s a penalty try or not . But once the referee decides it is a penalty try then the player responsible has to be yellow card under law."
Woodburn's Exeter teammate Jack Nowell, unsurprisingly, labelled it one of the worst refereeing decisions he had ever seen. He tweeted: "I'm actually in shock, like shock shocked. What the hell is happening? That's one of the worst decisions I've ever seen. EVER."
Fellow Exeter player Luke Cowan-Dickie said on Twitter "Omg rugby has lost the plot", which Wales and Cardiff winger Josh Adams replied to by saying: "Mate I couldn’t believe my eyes".
Outspoken England prop Joe Marler joined in in condemning the decision by tweeting: "Bonkers. Ridiculous. Laughable. Shambolic. What is going on?!"
By the letter of the law, Dickson will likely be vindicated due to the fact Woodburn was technically off his feet when he made contact with Ashton. But refereeing decisions often come down to interpretations, and many felt this decision was an injustice which needs looking at.
READ NEXT:
