National Football League

Report: Ref disciplined over call

Published Sep. 9, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

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The NFL has determined that the offsetting personal fouls penalties call in Sunday's game between the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers was wrong, adding a new chapter to the biggest Week 1 controversy.

NFL.com reported Monday that Dean Blandino, NFL vice president of officiating, reviewed the altercation following Clay Matthews' late hit on 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and determined that San Francisco lineman Joe Staley shouldn't have been penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Referee Bill Leavy acknowledged after the game that he made a mistake in applying the offsetting penalties, which gave the 49ers an extra down that led to a touchdown rather than a likely field goal. Blandino said that a mistake like that will not happen again.

According to an ESPN report, the league has downgraded Leavy — a measure that could affect his status when it comes to being selected for big regular-season games of playoff assignments.

In Blandin's assessment, the sole penalty on the play should have been called on the Packers, leaving the 49ers with a first-and-goal for the 49ers at the 3-yard line.

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