The NFL vice-president of officiating Dean Blandino has admitted that the Pittsburgh Steelers should have been penalised when Mike Tomlin impeded Jacoby Jones on a punt return.
Tomlin stepped onto the white line on the edge of the field and had a foot in bounds, which forced Jones to alter the direction of his return when it appeared he was in the clear.
Blandino told NFL Network: "Anytime a player or a coach from the sideline is in this white area, that's a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.
"If they interfere with the play, it could be what's called a 'palpably unfair act.' In that instance, the referee could basically penalise the team whatever he deems equitable, which could include giving the Ravens a touchdown.
"That's not the case here, but certainly coach Tomlin was in the white. He should have been flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct."
Tomlin has stated that his actions were "embarrassing".
Written by
Simon Sinclair
Simon Sinclair
