Umpire apologises to Leigh Montagna if he got 50m penalty decision wrong

AN umpire has admitted he may have mistakenly awarded a 50m penalty against St Kilda’s Leigh Montagna. WATCH THE BIZARRE INCIDENT

Leigh Montagna pleads his case to umpire Scott Jeffery. Picture: AAP

AN umpire has admitted he may have mistakenly awarded a 50m penalty against St Kilda’s Leigh Montagna, which cost his team a crucial goal against Geelong.

After giving away a free kick to Geelong’s Mark Blicavs, Montagna didn’t hide his frustration at the decision but was penalised further after umpire Scott Jeffery thought he had used foul language, tell the Saints veteran he had heard him say “soft c----”

Montagna insisted he was misheard.

In a bizarre situation at Etihad Stadium, Jeffery conceded he wasn’t exactly sure what Montagna had uttered, but did not overturn his decision.

“If I’ve got that wrong, I’m sorry”, he said.

An incensed Montagna replied: “I said soft bump, I said soft bump. You cost us 50.”

WATCH THE INCIDENT IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

Judging by the reaction on Twitter, Montagna wasn’t the only one frustrusted by what happened.

I watch the footy to see the Players play, not the umpires ruin it #aflsaintscats

— Colin Brown (@bigbrowndog69) April 23, 2017

Umpire thinks he hears something, pays a 50m penalty & says sorry if he got it wrong. Put the whistle away you weak prick #AFLSaintsCats

— Lachlan Phillips (@lachie87) April 23, 2017

I'm a massive cats fan, we got lucky in the 1st but this umpiring is well off AFL standard for mine #guesswork #AFLSaintsCats

— Glyn Powell (@gpowell87) April 23, 2017

If I've got that wrong I'm sorry??? Really??? #AFLSaintsCats

— Brodie Peterson (@boottz18) April 23, 2017

There's a first for everything!

The umpire saying "If I've got that wrong, I'm sorry"#AFLSaintsCats

— The Wolf (@WillHillWolf) April 23, 2017

Umpire: “If I've got that wrong, I'm sorry”. You did. And they got a goal. Muppet. #FreeKickGeelong #AFLSaintsCats

— Paul Daniel (@pauld08) April 23, 2017

Joey Montagna... I believe you. Clearly said 'Soft Bump' #AFLSaintsCats

— Joel Saratsis (@JoelSaratsis) April 23, 2017

The blokes in green are trying to ruin the match of the round. Making footy hard to watch #AFLSaintsCats

— Mitchell Kermath (@mitchykerm) April 23, 2017

Umps have lost the plot. Making up frees all over the place #AFLSaintsCats

— Paul Munro (@PD_Munners) April 23, 2017

Can these umps stop plucking free kicks out of your backsides and let them play the game? #AFLSaintsCats

— Drew Semmens (@drewie_5) April 23, 2017

Originally published as Umpire apologises to Leigh Montagna if he got 50m penalty decision wrong