CFL admits it blew replay call in Ticats loss to Redblacks

The CFL has acknowledged it made a mistake on a key replay review in the Hamilton Tiger-Cats loss to the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday night.

With just under seven minutes left to play and the Ticats leading by a single point, Ottawa receiver Greg Ellingson made what looked to be a catch over the middle, the ball popping loose as he went to the ground. The Ticats challenged, alleging the Ottawa receiver fumbled the football. Instead, the command centre ruled the pass incomplete. On the next play, the Redblacks kicked a field goal and led by two with just over five minutes to play.

Those points would prove to be the difference as Ottawa held on for the 30-29 win.

But CFL vice president of football Glen Johnson acknowledged on Saturday that replay official Jeff Harbin made a mistake.

“The Replay Official should not have ruled the pass incomplete last night on the Replay Review,” Johnson said. “It was a catch.”

The mistake could be a costly one for the Ticats who are now 6-9 and trail the Redblacks by three points for first place in the East. These two teams will meet again next Friday in Ottawa, a game Hamilton must win in order to have any shot at the division title.