English Premiership clash mired in controversy after time-keeping confusion

Yahoo

26-01-2025

English referee Karl Dickson's time keeping has come under scrutiny after a serious clock malfunction in the Gallagher Premiership clash between Sale Sharks and Bath.
Sale were leading Premiership leaders Bath 16-5 at the AJ Bell Stadium when the hosts knocked the ball on with the clock already in the red. In usual circumstances the referee would have blown for half-time but Dickson allowed for one more scrum with Bath in possession which they subsequently scored from.
When both sets of forwards were preparing to pack down the TMO could be heard saying: "Karl, what time have you got?"
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Dickson replied: "There's three seconds left. Is that the same as you?"
"No, that's fine," replied the TMO." The TNT Sports commentators were equally as bemused.
In the lead-up to the scrum, lead commentator Alastair Eykyn said: "It was knocked on by the Sharks and that will take us to half-time."
"Maybe not unless someone tells Karl what the time is," said former England playmaker and TNT Sports pundit Austin Healey. "Anyone looking at the clock? Anyone," joked Eykyn.
Bath were permitted to take the scrum, with Ruaridh McConnochie scoring a try which Finn Russell converted to cut the deficit to 16-12 in Sale's favour at the interval.
"And Bath striking at the end of this first half, striking well-beyond the end of this first half seemingly," said Eykyn in commentary.
"It will be a score which might cause a stir."
"Won't it just!" replied Healey. "It was a great score but the question is, what's the time Alli?"
But Bath's official X account moved to clear up the confusion, saying Dickson's clock was correct with the stadium and TV clock out of sync. Bath Rugby wrote: "For clarity, the commentary team on TNT have clarified that referee Karl Dickson's clock was correct at the end of the first half.
"The stadium and TV clock seemed to be slightly out of sync, which caused some confusion at the end of the first half."