The biggest game in Irish football took place tonight, with Bohemians travelling to Tallaght to take on Shamrock Rovers.
League leaders Bohs lost 2-0 away from home, but once again the result was marred by a hugely controversial refereeing decision.
In the 76th minute, with Rovers up 1-0, Jonathan Afolabi pounced on a loose ball in the box, and with just the keeper to beat, Afolabi was tackled to the ground by Daniel Cleary.
The referee felt that the centre half got the ball, but on replay it appeared to be a stonewall penalty, with the only contact between the legs of the two players.
While Bohs remain top of the league on 28 points, they are just a point ahead of Rovers, and if the title was to go down to the line, this incident will surely be brought up once more.
Bohs Denied Stonewall Penalty Against Shamrock Rovers
Afolabi goes down in the area under Cleary's challenge. The referee books him for diving, but the striker gets a touch before Cleary slides through without getting the ball.
📱 Live updates 👉 https://t.co/IYmoLtbj3d
📺 Watch on @RTE2 and @RTEplayer 👉 https://t.co/1ncBhUXJWF pic.twitter.com/gqCKVII0CL— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) May 5, 2023
The referring here simply isn’t good enough on many levels but that penalty not given is disgraceful
— Daniel Lambert (@dlLambo) May 5, 2023
When will the FAI sort the officials out https://t.co/mOSIWdnf3A
— Fergie (@Ferg_Official) May 5, 2023
Honestly! How can you defend this https://t.co/gOsL1Xn64f
— Dylan (@ColmeyDylan) May 5, 2023
Rovers are a stronger side in every way, but Bohs still top of the league - if Afolabi had been given the penalty he deserved it would have been a different story, but that's football. https://t.co/s8eFv3ooNN
— Philip O'Connor (@philipoconnor) May 5, 2023
SEE ALSO: Dodge's League of Ireland Recap, Week 11: Two Managers Gone
