XFL admits error after refs end Roughnecks-Dragons with 2 seconds left
The NFL isn't the only football league with officiating issues, it seems.
The undefeated Houston Roughnecks' 32-23 win Saturday over the Seattle Dragons was marred by a controversial conclusion, with referees allowing the game to end despite time remaining on the clock.
MVP front-runner P.J. Walker attempted to run out the clock on fourth down, but with defenders closing in, the quarterback took a knee with two seconds remaining.
Seattle would've taken over from the 23-yard line and was within one score of tying the game. However, the teams ran onto the field while the officials exited to the locker room.
The XFL admitted the game should have continued in a subsequent statement. The league said it "sincerely regrets this error" and announced that officiating supervisor Wes Booker has been "reassigned."
The XFL allows fans an inside look into how officiating decisions are made. When asked by ESPN commentators about the refs missing the remaining time, Booker failed to explain the decision, saying only that the "game is over."
The thing about giving TV and fans access to the decision-making process is that you have to actually be able to explain your decisions when there is controversy. pic.twitter.com/dL4tUkACbL
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 7, 2020
The booth wasn't impressed by the answer, and neither were those watching at home.
ESPN crew not shy about calling out XFL over their weird nonsensical reason for ending a game with two seconds left on the clock and a team on offense with a legitimate chance to tie. pic.twitter.com/oG5LRvaRbl
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 7, 2020
The excuse that they couldn't get players and coaches back on the field is extremely lame. If you have time left on the clock, you get the damn teams back on the field.
— Konnor Fulk (@KonnorFulk_XFL) March 7, 2020
Horrible look for XFL and explanation that game is over. NFL has brought teams back from locker room in the past for PAT when time had expired. Even so, no one should have been allowed to leave field until sequence was reviewed.
— Howard Balzer (@HBalzer721) March 7, 2020
LOL. I don't care but the explanation for why they didn't put time back on the clock in this XFL game was basically "can't do it. The game is over"
— Kevin Shockey (@KevinShockey) March 7, 2020
What?
This is a huge black eye to the league if they let the game finish like this. What a pathetic job at the end. Clearly 2 seconds left when Walker hit the ground. How in the world did replay not let the refs know before they all ran off the field? #XFL
— Madison Foster (@madisonfoster31) March 7, 2020
The Dragons fell to 1-4 with the loss, and are facing improbable odds to make the playoffs.