CFL under fire after controversial replay review in Bombers win over B.C.

The end of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers win over the B.C. Lions on Saturday was mired in controversy after the CFL command centre appeared to blow a turnover call with the game in the balance.

With 35 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and the Bombers protecting a 37-35 lead, Winnipeg running back Andrew Harris was stripped by B.C. defenders Adam Bighill and Jason Arakgi. The ruling on the field was that Harris was down by contact but the play was automatically reviewed by the command centre. The ruling: no fumble.

Social media exploded with criticism of the decision.

 

that was a fumble lol but that’s none of my business

— Shawn Lemon (@SLemonator) October 8, 2016

Huge Crucial Mess Up by the Command Center #CFL

— Rob Fry (@Fryzee7) October 8, 2016

This is why people hate replay. @CFL, Get your shit together.

— BC Lions Den (@BCLionsDen) October 8, 2016

That’s embarrassing … Huge play, they review it, still wrong.

— Spencer Moore (@spencermoore80) October 8, 2016

#CFL officiating is the only thing that breaks Newton’s Laws of motion

— Matthew Scianitti (@TSNScianitti) October 8, 2016

Video review only to get it wrong. Good job, #CFL Command Centre.

— Cam Cole (@rcamcole) October 8, 2016

Who is watching the reviews? That was a FUMBLE. Not even close upon review. He was not down. Brutal. BC deserved that.#CFLGameDay

— fake GAINER (@fakeGAINER) October 8, 2016

#PointShaving

— Courtney Stephen (@TheCStephen) October 8, 2016

BC might wanna file charges with the local police department…

— Jason Vega (@VegaJason) October 8, 2016

I have no clue what a fumble is anymore.

— Rob Maver (@rmaver6) October 8, 2016

UPON FURTHER REVIEW? https://t.co/vcR2Jg8q23

— Jeff Reinebold (@Jeff_Reinebold) October 8, 2016

From a veteran #CFL player via text: “Perhaps the worst blown call I’ve ever seen… Refs should be subject to fines and (public) review.”

— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) October 8, 2016

That game may sum up the #CFL season. Great game, huge plays, but at the end all social media is talking about is a replay.

— Mike Hogan (@tsnmikehogan) October 8, 2016

CFL Command Centre needs to make a statement explaining what they saw that the eyes of thousands of football people did not.

— Terry Jones (@sunterryjones) October 8, 2016

Still in shock that wasn’t called for a fumble….. #smh #bclions

— Christie Buono (@ChristieBuono) October 8, 2016

Great win for the @Wpg_BlueBombers BUT BUT BUT BUT BUT BUT

— Milt Stegall (@MiltStegallTSN) October 8, 2016