RFL acknowledge video referee mistake in Hull FC v Leigh Leopards draw

The RFL have confirmed video referee Jack Smith made an error in golden point during the draw between Hull FC and Leigh Leopards. Following an enthralling contest that finished 22-22 after 80 minutes, Hull and Leigh went to sudden death at the MKM Stadium, with both sides looking to land the decisive blow.

Leigh enjoyed the lion’s share of field position in golden point and with Gareth O’Brien off the field with a head injury, they were unsuccessful with three drop goal attempts before the spoils were shared.

However, it could have been very different had Briscoe been awarded a penalty for catching Lachlan Lam’s kick-off whilst his foot was in touch. The centre appeared to have his boot on the line as he took in Lam’s wayward kick, but instead of being given the decision, he was adjudged to have taken the ball into touch.

Black and Whites skipper Aidan Sezer challenged the call, allowing the officials and the crowd inside the MKM Stadium to take a look at the decision, but Smith deemed their claims to be inconclusive, which came as something as a shock to those of a Hull persuasion. As such, Leigh were given the restart in Hull’s half and had they been more clinical they would have won the game.

According to League Express, though, the RFL’s head of match officials Phil Bentham has been in contact with Hull FC CEO Richie Myler to confirm that the decision was in fact a mistake and the publication has also received a statement from the governing body on the incident.

“The initial touch-judge call was based on the belief that Tom Briscoe pushed off from the field of play and carried the ball into touch by standing on the line,” the statement given to League Express read.

“There was enough evidence available to the video referee to overturn that decision, piecing together the two angles – the back angle shows the foot on the line and the front angle shows the catch.”