Scotland were agonisingly close to being the only Northern Hemisphere team in the World Cup semi-finals, before referee Craig Joubert awarded a penalty to Australia - which Bernard Foley kicked to claim victory.
The penalty was awarded because a Scottish player played the ball from an offside position from a Scottish knock on.
Joubert is getting slated online for his decision, because it wasn't fully clear whether the ball was knocked on by Scotland or knocked back by Australia. Joubert didn't go to the TMO to check who touched it, and he ran down the tunnel straight on full time.
Twitter was not impressed at all:
Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw: 'The ref looked up at the screen and didn't seem too sure of the penalty himself. He sure made a sharp exit'
— Duncan Bech (@DuncanBech) October 18, 2015
Craig Joubert you are a disgrace and should never referee again!! How dare you sprint off the pitch after that decision!!! #RWC2015
— Matt Dawson (@matt9dawson) October 18, 2015
Some absurd calls for Joubert to have gone against the laws of the game to consult TMO (when many bemoan too much use of it anyway).
— Nick Heath (@nickheathsport) October 18, 2015
Joubert runs off the pitch... and out the stadium? Huge controversy in Scotland's elimination. When does a ref run off and not shake hands?
— owenslotTheTimes (@owenslot) October 18, 2015
Joubert has just legged it off the field!!! Make of that what u will
— Nick Easter (@nick_easter) October 18, 2015
Craig Joubert just sprinted off at a speed Usain Bolt would have been proud of.
— Ben Coles (@bencoles_) October 18, 2015
See Also: The Greig Laidlaw Interview That Ads Made You Miss Is Well Worth A Watch
Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
