The NFL’s worst news has come out of the 2016 season, with two separate instances of the league’s officiating crew failing to call penalties in close games.
The first came in the first week of the regular season, when the Dallas Cowboys were facing the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
The Cowboys were penalized for illegal pass interference, a play that’s become a regular occurrence in NFL games this season.
This time around, it wasn’t enough.
The NFL confirmed the call was the wrong call in a statement, saying: “The NFL has been in contact with our league office regarding this play.
We will review the ruling and any further action to correct this play as appropriate.”
The NFL added that the league would look into the call “in the near future.”
The second call was in Week 5, when New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick was accused of “slapping” an opponent during the second half of a game in Baltimore.
Belichick has not been charged with any wrongdoing, but the league has been making it difficult for him to remain in the job.
The Patriots’ head coach was suspended by the league for four games.
The NFL released a statement that said, “While we continue to monitor the situation with Bill Belichick, it is important to remember that his suspension was imposed based on the original ruling and the actions of the officials in that game.
The league is confident that the NFL will take appropriate action to protect its players and our game.”
The league also said it was reviewing the ruling.
The New England team has been fined $1 million by the NFL for this alleged violation.
