The Rugby Football Union has apologised after Harlequins lock Irne Herbst was allowed to leave the sin-bin early during his side's win over Bath in the English Premiership.
Herbst was sent to the sin-bin after receiving a yellow card in the 63rd minute of Saturday's clash.
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But an officiating error meant he was able to come back onto the pitch after only seven minutes instead of the usual 10.
With Bath staging a gritty comeback, the South African made at least one important tackle during the time he should have been out of action.
Harlequins held on to win 40-36 and Bath coach Johann van Graan complained to referee Anthony Woodthorpe following the final whistle.
But, after reviewing the incident, the RFU's professional game match officials team declined to take any further action over the mistake.
The controversial decision leaves second placed Bath five points behind Premiership leaders Northampton.
"The RFU Professional Game Match Officials Team (PGMOT) acknowledge and apologise for an error during the Gallagher Premiership match between Harlequins v Bath where a yellow card sanction resulted in Irne Herbst returning to the pitch approximately three minutes too soon," a statement said on Sunday.
"We would like to apologise to both teams for this mistake.
"As is the usual process the PGMOT will review all games to ensure continued improvement and learnings. The result of the match remains final."
Speaking after the match, Van Graan had said: "I flagged it with the referee after the game. There's not a lot that he can do, on the pitch he wasn't even aware of it.
"We went through our team manager and we made the fourth official aware. On a yellow card, you're supposed to be off for 10 minutes, not seven."
