Referees have a challenging role as they are criticized for the choices they make and condemned for the ones they don’t.
Despite the advancements in technology, there are still many controversies surrounding their decisions.
In the upcoming pages, we will examine the top five most disputed refereeing decisions from throughout the years.
1. Speargate on the Lions Tour
During the Lions tour of New Zealand, the first game was surrounded by controversy after a dangerous spear tackle was executed on Captain Brian O’Driscoll, causing him to leave the tour within minutes.
Despite the tackle being against the rules, the referee allowed play to continue.
This event had significant consequences in World Rugby, leading to stricter regulations on spear tackling.