WIGAN Warriors head coach Adrian Lam blasted the decision to allow Warrington Wolves' third try in their win over his side last night as "disgraceful."
With The Wire 14-8 up inside the final quarter at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Wigan winger Liam Marshall was forced backwards to retrieve an errant pass.
Under pressure from Josh Charnley, he appeared to lose possession, with Jake Mamo picking up the loose ball to run in what proved to be the decisive try from long range.
However, replays showed Charnley's boot made contact with Marshall's head, knocking him out and forcing him to lose possession.
The winger went on to fail a concussion assessment and while Wire head coach Steve Price saw nothing wrong with the award of the try, Lam was scathing of referee Robert Hicks' decision.
"I thought it was disgraceful," he said.
"We're meant to be looking at the welfare of our players and the player got kicked on the head.
"Whether it was accidental or not, I don't know but it's a penalty and he should have stopped play and gone to the video referee.
"He could still have awarded the try going back through the footage. It was clear that he was knocked out."
Charnley defended himself on Twitter this morning, affirming any contact with Marshall's head was accidental.
I didn't intend to kick someone in the head, we are both committed for a ball which was on the floor! I'm running at speed and I couldn't do anything else. You get told to put your head in where it hurts. Its Rugby League 🤟🏽
— Joshua Charnley (@Joshuacharnley) July 29, 2021
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