Ashley Klein has been sensationally dropped from referee duties for this weekend's preliminary finals following a controversial officiating performance during the Newcastle Knights' upset win over the New Zealand Warriors at Eden Park.
It is understood by multiple publications that Klein will have no on-field role in either of this weekend's Grand Final qualifiers, with the NRL opting to leave the experienced official out of the two matches.
The Knights stunned the Warriors 12-10 in Auckland on Sunday afternoon to book their place in the Week 3 finals, but the result was overshadowed by a number of contentious decisions throughout the match.
Three calls in particular sparked widespread debate, beginning with a Bunker ruling that Ali Leiataua had knocked the ball on, resulting in the ball changing direction and disrupting Bradman Best as he attempted to catch it.
The Bunker decision was followed by another controversial moment involving Te Maire Martin, with the Warriors challenging the ruling that he had stripped the ball.
However, it was the decision in the dying stages of the match that has ultimately proved the most significant.
With the Warriors trailing by two points, Tyson Frizell appeared to escort Leka Halasima under a high ball, but no penalty was awarded despite the incident occurring in a position that could have allowed the Warriors to kick a penalty goal and level the scores.
The NRL has since confirmed the decision was incorrect and that a penalty should have been awarded to the Warriors.
The error is particularly significant given the NRL had sent an email to clubs only last week stressing that officials would be cracking down on escorting players.
Klein's performance sparked an angry reaction from sections of the Warriors' fanbase, with cans thrown at the referee as he left the field under a security escort following the match.
The NRL has since launched an investigation into the abuse directed towards Klein, with the governing body committing to taking necessary action over the incidents.
The decision to remove Klein from this weekend's matches also comes after the Warriors CEO wrote to the NRL on Monday seeking clarification over several of the controversial decisions from the defeat.
Klein is regarded as one of the NRL's leading referees and his omission from the preliminary finals could now place his position as the referee for the Grand Final in serious doubt.
Adam Gee took charge of Saturday night's Roosters-Sharks semi-final, while Gerard Sutton and Grant Atkins are now in contention to replace Klein.
With just two matches remaining before the big dance, the NRL's decision leaves the race for the Grand Final referee wide open as the competition reaches its most critical stage.
