Furious NFL fans have claimed that the New England Patriots were ‘robbed’ after officials controversially ruled out a touchdown they scored on Saturday.
During the first quarter of their game against the New Orleans Saints, Drake Maye and DeMario Douglas had seemingly connected for a stunning 61-yard touchdown.
However, as Douglas went to celebrate with his teammates, officials made a controversial offensive pass interference call which left many fans bemused.
It quickly emerged that the flag had been thrown after officials spotted wide receiver Stefon Diggs tangled up with Saints star Kool-Aid McKinstry and called out the Patriots man for OPI.
However, what many fans were quick to point out was that Diggs and McKinstry were not involved in the play whatsoever and, in fact, were not close to the ball.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was visibly irate at the decision and, shortly after it occurred, fans similarly voiced their frustrations on social media.
Fans were left fuming after officials ruled out a Patriots touchdown for an apparent OPI – despite the fact Stefon Diggs and Kool-Aid McKinstry were not involved in the play
Diggs and McKinstry had hands on each other but it surely wasn’t enough to make the call
Fans quickly turned to social media to claim that the Patriots had been ‘robbed’ by officials
One wrote: ‘The refs can keep calling makeup penalties for the rest of the game, but they erased a Patriots 61-yard touchdown pass for no reason.
‘The flag was thrown so late, I thought it was taunting after the TD. Bizarre’.
Another said: ‘How can they justify this call when the ball wasn’t even thrown to him. Does the official even understand what pass interference is’.
‘The NFL literally ROBBED the Pats of a TD. Not a close call, not back and fourth, just straight up ROBBED. I don’t care if the Patriots blow the Saints out, that one is going to be on my mind for awhile. One of the worst calls I’ve EVER seen,’ another said.
Meanwhile, one said: ‘I’m not one to blame the officials but this is absolutely one of the worst officiated games I’ve seen in a looooooong time.’
In the next play, Saints corner Quincy Riley was called for defensive pass interference which set the Patriots up at the 50-yard line, which many saw as a makeup call.
However, to make matters worse, later in the game officials once again ruled out a Patriots touchdown over an offensive pass interference.
In the fourth quarter, an offensive pass interference call was made against Diggs once again
Once again, it was Diggs involved. Replays showed the wide receiver putting his hand lightly on the back of his defensive rival, however many saw it as a soft call.
Had it counted, it would have been a stunning 51-yard completion for Maye, who put in a solid display against the Saints.
Despite the controversial officiating, New England didn’t let that derail their performance and stormed into a 14-6 lead by the end of the first quarter.
They then went into the break 22-16 up after Maye combined with Kayshon Boutte for a stunning touchdown just moments before half-time.
