6 hours ago
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A veteran college football referee at the center of a series of controversial calls in the Auburn-Georgia game this month has reportedly been permanently suspended.
Ken Williamson will no longer be officiating SEC conference games after 11 complaints were made about the performance of him and his crew in the high-profile clash on October 11.
According to Yellowhammer News, nine of those complaints were validated by SEC officials. The Daily Mail has reached out to the SEC for comment.
The most contentious call came deep in the second quarter when Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold lost possession during a QB sneak on the one-yard line.
It was recovered by Georgia's Kyron Jones but various TV replays showed Arnold crossed into the end zone before the ball was punched out of his possession.
However, Williamson and his team of officials sided with the Bulldogs after review and handed them possession of the ball which was game changing.
A veteran college football referee has reportedly been permanently suspended by the SEC
Williamson and his crew oversaw a series of controversial calls in the Auburn-Georgia game
A touchdown would have put Auburn up 17-0 but Georgia then embarked on a 12-play, 88-yard drive for a field goal to make the score 10-3 at halftime. They went on to win 20-10.
A second contentious incident occurred in the third quarter when Georgia coach Kirby Smart appeared to take a timeout before the play was reset. Williamson and his crew did not charge Smart for a timeout.
College football refereeing crews are assessed on a weekly and annual basis and the results of those play a part in future games and postseason opportunities.
Williamson is a seasoned referee and has been overseeing football games for over 40 years, including 15 at high school level. He has been refereeing SEC games for 21 years and oversaw the conference's championship game in 2021.
He was also an alternate for the College Football Playoff Fiesta Bowl semi-final.
Former NFL referee and NBC Sports rules analyst Terry McAulay led the criticism of the SEC's supposed decision to suspend Williamson.
'This is insane. Ken is a very good Referee and has been for a very long time,' he posted on X.
Former NFL referee and NBC Sports rules analyst Terry McAulay backed Williamson
'I've commented on the Ga/Auburn game, and no, the crew did not have a very good game. It happens to officials, just as it happens to coaches and players.
'I look forward to the day an Athletic Director suspends his coach for, in a single game, poor clock management, allowing players to feign injury, bad play calls, etc.
'Or let's permanently bench a QB for throwing a game-ending interception regardless of his past performance.
'*If* this is solely based on that one game, then shame on everyone involved. It's yet another reason why Conferences should not oversee officiating and will forever be a dark stain on college football.'
