An utterly bizarre sequence of events unfolded during the European Rugby Champions Cup clash between Section Paloise and the Bulls, with referee Karl Dickson finding himself uncomfortably involved in two decisive tries.
While referees influencing games is nothing new, actually physically influencing play is another matter entirely. Yet that is exactly what appeared to happen on two separate occasions in a contest that ended 26-24 in favour of the Bulls.
The first controversial moment came midway through the match. As the Bulls attacked close to the Pau line, Dickson appeared to tug the jersey of hooker Akker van der Merwe, pulling him into open space.
Seconds later, the Bulls were over the line. Replays only deepened the confusion, with social media erupting as fans questioned how such an incident could go unnoticed by officials in the TMO booth.
Remarkably, that was not the end of Dickson’s involvement. Later in the match, the referee collided with a Pau defender during another Bulls attacking phase.
The contact appeared to block a potential tackle, creating space that the Bulls quickly exploited to score again. While unintentional, the clash directly impacted the defensive line at a critical moment.
Despite the controversy, the Bulls held on for a narrow victory, leaving Pau players and supporters frustrated and bewildered.
The incidents have reignited debate around referee positioning and accountability in elite rugby. While officials are human, moments like this inevitably raise uncomfortable questions.
For a competition as prestigious as the European Rugby Champions Cup, fans expect drama, but not quite like this.
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17th January 2026
04:14pm GMT
