The CFL has admitted that two separate calls which led to Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive back Brandon Stewart having his interception return for a touchdown called back in Sunday's loss to the Ottawa Redblacks were blown.

Stewart's pick-six, which occurred with less than five minutes left in Sunday's 12-6 Redblacks' win, was called back for an illegal block on the return by Simoni Lawrence and an unnecessary roughness call on Craig Butler. The interception stood, but the TiCats were given possession on their own 45-yard line.

The win gave Ottawa the outright lead in the CFL East and put the team in position for a playoff bye. The two teams will meet again on Saturday.

Speaking to Drew Edwards of the Hamilton Spectator, CFL vice president of officiating said neither Lawrence nor Butler should have been flagged on the play and Stewart's score, which would have put the Tiger-Cats up 13-12, should have counted.

"Both of the penalties on that play were incorrect," Johnson said, according to Edwards. "Both of those calls don't meet the standard that we define for those types of penalties."

Butler's penalty came from contacting an opponent not involved in the play, however, since the receiver hit by Butler was in pursuit of the runner, Butler should have been flagged, Johnson explained.

As for Lawrence's illegal block, Johnson said the official had a poor view and believed the Ticats linebackers contacted a Redblack below the waist, which he did not.

Johnson said both officials, will see their ratings dip after the missed calls.

"We had guys on that crew who ranked at or near the top for their position because we knew it had playoff implications," Johnson said. "Both guys are disappointed in themselves and they are good, solid officials who had an error in judgment."

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99