From eyebrow-raising calls to straight-up blunders, 2024 had some of the worst referee calls in recent memory. These moments didn’t just spark outrage—they altered game outcomes, fueled heated debates, and sent betting tickets into chaos.
We’ve ranked the wildest officiating moments based on the social media firestorms they caused, fan reactions, and betting impacts. Dive in and relive the madness.
#1 Georgia vs Texas: Fans Become the 12th Man
How It Went Down:
A controversial pass interference call was overturned after the crowd hurled debris onto the field. The result was absolute chao and accusations that the refs “caved to the crowd.” The overturned call fueled Texas’s momentum, leading to a key touchdown in their win over Georgia.
Chaotic scene in Austin:
A Texas interception vs Georgia was — *initially* — negated after the officials ruled defensive pass interference on the play.
Texas fans then threw bottles onto the field, leading to Longhorns HC Steve Sarkisian pleading with the fans to stop. pic.twitter.com/v5yJQMSqol
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 20, 2024
Outrage Factors:
- Ref by Crowd Vote: Critics slammed the precedent set that seemed to give fans influence over officiating decisions.
- Garbage Goals: Social media had a field day with jokes about using bottle-throwing tactics to “persuade” refs, with hashtags like #bottlegate trending.
- Divided Opinions: Some saw the reversal as justice served, while others called the whole thing a spectacle of bad sportsmanship.
@spencerpremier When you throw stuff on the field but it actually works 😂 #texas #georgia #bottlegate #fyp #viral #news #longhorns #collegefootball
Why It Shook-Up Betting Odds
- Spread Shenanigans: The reversal swung momentum and impacted spreads, frustrating bettors banking on Georgia to hold the line.
- Futures Frenzy: Texas’s win sent ripples through future betting markets, as their odds for upcoming matchups surged.
Texas fans, you played yourself
byu/Same_Weakness_9226 incfbmemes
Bet Smarter: What You Can Learn
- Crowd Factor is Real: Emotional home crowds can disrupt games — factor this into your bets when stakes are high.
- Adapt on the Fly: Live betting is your friend in chaotic games where fan behavior or wild officiating can alter the outcome.
#2 Kansas City Chiefs’ Controversial No-Call Keeps Them Undefeated
How It Went Down
In Week 3 of the NFL season, the Chiefs narrowly beat the Falcons 22-17 after an apparent end-zone pass interference against Kyle Pitts went uncalled, sparking accusations of favoritism.
Tough look for this not to be DPI on the #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/tKhZxK33cm
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 23, 2024
Outrage Factors
- Favoritism Accusations: Fans criticized perceived NFL bias toward the Chiefs, with #ChiefsRefs trending across social media platforms.
- Blatant Miss: Replays showing Pitts being grabbed fueled officiating criticism.
- Fans Cry Foul: Memes and jokes about the Chiefs “paying the refs” flooded the internet.
@trevorfahnstrom The Chiefs-Refs duo is unstoppable against Cincy😂🏈 #nfl #football #cincinnatibengals #kansascitychiefs #sports
Why It Shook-Up Betting Odds
- Spread Shift: Bettors backing the Falcons to cover were left disappointed as the non-call swung the result.
- Prop Bet Fallout: Player-specific bets on Pitts were thrown off, leaving bettors empty-handed.
When in Doubt he is always there for the chiefs
byu/Fresh_Ostrich4034 innflmemes
Bet Smarter: What You Can Learn
- Ref Trends Matter: Look into officiating tendencies for teams that frequently find themselves in controversy.
- Avoid Tight Matchups: Focus on safer bets like over/under totals in games prone to officiating drama.
#3 Luis Díaz VAR Blunder: A Goal That Wasn’t
How It Went Down
Liverpool’s Luis Díaz scored a goal against Tottenham, which was inaccurately ruled offside due to VAR (video assistant referee) miscommunication. It cost Tottenham the match against Liverpool the match.
PGMOL has released the full audio from the VAR hub relating to the Luis Diaz goal that was incorrectly disallowed in Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/fyKqBPmLmP
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley) October 3, 2023
Outrage Factors:
- Tech Mishap: VAR failed to correct an onside goal, sparking demands for procedural reform.
- Global Outrage: Hashtags like #VARout and #JusticeForLiverpool trended worldwide.
- A Widespread Issue: Across leagues like the Premier League and beyond, incidents like Nottingham Forest’s complaints against VAR further illustrate growing discontent with the system.
Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept.
We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times.
NFFC will now consider its options.
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 21, 2024
Why It Shook-Up Betting Odds
- Moneyline Meltdown: Liverpool backers saw their bets crumble as the disallowed goal changed the outcome.
- Prop Bet Chaos: Bets tied to Díaz’s performance, such as “anytime scorer,” were nullified.
leaving the pub after several pints vs the morning after pic.twitter.com/hAmbLatj97
— Ben (@BenJoyceFoot) October 3, 2023
Bet Smarter: What You Can Learn
- Tech Isn’t Foolproof: Remember, even tech is prone to human mistakes—factor it into your strategy.
- Diversify Bets: Avoid spending too much of your bankroll on single-player props; spread bets across safer markets.
#4 Jordan Chiles’ Olympic Bronze Medal — Snatched!
How It Went Down
Jordan Chiles earned a bronze medal after a score adjustment at the Summer Olympics in Paris, but a procedural error—Team USA’s inquiry in the adjustment was submitted four seconds late—led to her medal being revoked just days later.
Outrage Factors
- Rule book Over Reality: Fans slammed the decision as prioritizing bureaucracy over athletic performance.
- Athlete Solidarity: Simone Biles and others publicly supported Chiles, calling the ruling unjust.
- Public Fury: #JordanChiles trended, with 13K+ fans demanding fairer Olympic judging.
Wow, Suni defends Jordan and calls out the judges.. really respect her for this 👏
byu/Pretty_Razzmatazz757 inGymnastics
Why It Shook-Up Betting Odds
- Medal Count Impact: Futures bets tied to Team USA’s medal total were affected.
- Prop Bets Blindsided: Individual wagers on Chiles were derailed by the reversal.
Jordan Chiles has officially been stripped of her bronze medal in floor from the Paris Olympics after a judge for the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in favor of two Romanian gymnasts on Aug. 10. | 📷: Getty
Details here: https://t.co/mf4aYMZN9I pic.twitter.com/Epdt0jFrm9
— People (@people) August 11, 2024
Bet Smarter: What You Can Learn
- Know the Risks: Procedural rulings can disrupt Olympic outcomes—factor this volatility into your bets.
- Diversify Bets: Avoid heavy reliance on single-athlete props; spread wagers across multiple events.
#5 Coco Gauff’s Olympic Line Call Debacle
How It Went Down
During a crucial rally in the 2024 Paris Olympics, a premature “out” call disrupted Coco Gauff’s shot and cost her the point—and, ultimately, the match. Without a replay system in Olympic tennis, the umpire’s decision stood despite Gauff’s protest.
@the.sports.geek Coco Gauff unfairly treated? #tennis #olympics #cocogauff
Outrage Factors
- Tech Gap Exposed: The lack of replay technology in Olympic tennis felt outdated and unfair, sparking a global demand for reform.
- #JusticeForCoco: Social media erupted, with fans and athletes rallying behind Gauff, trending the hashtag worldwide.
- Officiating Under Fire: The incident highlighted the risks of relying solely on human judgment.
@grindcitymedia Coco Gauff was CHEATED 🤬 #olympics #tennis #cocogauff
Why It Shook-Up Betting Odds
- Futures Bettors Stung: As a gold medal favorite, Gauff’s unexpected elimination disrupted predictions for future bets, forcing recalculations across the bracket.
- Prop Bet Disasters: Player-specific bets tied to Gauff’s match stats, such as rally counts or aces, were thrown off by the disputed call.
Bet Smarter: What You Can Learn
- Stick to Sports with Tech (When It Works): Betting on sports with replay systems can reduce the risk of human error—just don’t assume VAR always gets it right!
- Diversify or Bust: Spread your bets to protect against upsets caused by controversial calls or focus on safer markets like over/under totals.
#6 UFC 307: Eye Pokes, Low Blows, and a Ref in Hot Water
How It Went Down
Cesar Almeida repeatedly fouled Ihor Potieria with eye pokes and then a low blow during their UFC 307 matchup, but referee Dave Sejestad failed to intervene. Almeida ultimately secured the win, leaving fans and analysts furious over the officiating.
Outrage Factors
- Ignored Fouls: Multiple eye pokes, and a low blow went unpunished, leaving fans outraged.
- Historic Blunder: Analysts labeled it one of the worst refereeing performances in UFC history.
- Viral Backlash: The hashtag #WorstRefEver gained traction, calling for stricter officiating standards.
This ref was so bad that they’re calling it an “Illuminati humiliation ritual”#UFC307 pic.twitter.com/fOoQjuj40r
— PC Strickland (@PCStricklandMMA) October 6, 2024
Why It Shook-Up Betting Odds
- Moneyline Madness: Almeida’s fouls unfairly tilted the fight, frustrating Potieria backers.
- Prop Bet Turmoil: Fouls disrupted bets on knockouts, submissions, and fighter stats.
Bet Smarter: What You Can Learn
- Scout the Ref: Research referee tendencies—lenient officials can create unpredictable outcomes.
- Bet on Versatility: Favor fighters with well-rounded skills who can adapt to inconsistent officiating.
#7 Oregon Ducks’ 12-Man Penalty Trick Play
How It Went Down
Oregon’s head coach Dan Lanning orchestrated a bold move by intentionally sending 12 players onto the field, incurring an intentional penalty to drain precious seconds off the clock in the game against Ohio State. This cheeky tactic secured Oregon a one-point win over Ohio State, leaving fans and bettors stunned.
Outrage Factors
- Strategic Genius or Foul Play? Fans debated whether the tactic was brilliant or unsportsmanlike.
- Social Media Meltdown: TikTok and Reddit lit up with fiery debates over whether exploiting rule loopholes like this fair game or just bad sportsmanship is.
- Potential Rule Change: The NCAA hinted at revisiting clock management rules after the uproar.
@espn #Genius move by coach? 👀 (via @Oregon Football) #oregonducks #ohiostate #cfb #footballtiktok
Why It Shook-Up Betting Odds
- Spread Drama: Oregon’s clever 12-man penalty sealed their one-point win over Ohio State, sending spread bets into a tailspin. Bettors backing the Buckeyes to cover were left biting their nails—or cursing their luck.
- Live Betting Whiplash: In the final moments, Oregon’s unconventional tactic threw live bettors into chaos, as the Ducks burned precious seconds off the clock and snatched the game. It was the sports equivalent of a chess player using their opponent’s timer to win.
Bet Smarter: What You Can Learn
- Scout the Strategists: Coaches like Oregon’s Dan Lanning prove that high-stakes games are fertile ground for bold, rule-bending tactics. If a coach has a reputation for … unconventional approaches, factor that into your betting strategy.
- Expect the Unexpected: Live betting markets can flip faster than a TikTok trend in games with creative play calls. Be ready to pivot as the action unfolds.
#8 Virginia Tech’s Hail Mary Heartbreaker
How It Went Down
A potential game-winning Hail Mary against Miami was overturned after officials ruled the receiver didn’t maintain possession, handing Miami a 38-34 win.
VIRGINIA TECH'S HAIL MARY WAS RULED INCOMPLETE 😱 pic.twitter.com/J2pK4IY5y5
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 28, 2024
Outrage Factors
- Inconclusive Evidence: Critics argued the replay wasn’t definitive enough to overturn the call.
- ACC Bias Allegations: Fans accused the ACC of protecting Miami, a higher-ranked team, to bolster the conference’s playoff hopes.
- Hashtag Havoc: #JusticeForVT trended as fans flooded X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, sharing slow-motion replays and demanding accountability.
@cbssportscfb Did the refs get it right?? 👀 #cfb #collegefootball #footballtiktok #hailmary
Why It Shook-Up Betting Odds
- Moneyline Mayhem: Virginia Tech bettors saw a win-turned-loss in seconds.
- Parlay Disaster: Multi-leg parlays tied to Virginia Tech’s victory crumbled after the ruling.
Bet Smarter: What You Can Learn
- Read the Room (or Conference): Conferences with perceived officiating trends—like the ACC in this case—can sway outcomes unexpectedly.
- Consider Live Betting: When a game’s momentum shifts, live betting allows you to adjust your wagers in real-time, even when officials make questionable calls.
Manage Mangled Odds with The Sports Geek
From overturned touchdowns to retracted Olympic medals, the worst referee calls of 2024 proved that refereeing chaos can make or break a bettor. But by staying informed, analyzing trends, and diversifying your strategies, you can also turn the officiating drama into betting opportunities.
Get more sports betting tips and strategies from the experts at The Sports Geek.
