Robbed.

Spain have missed out on an opportunity to qualify for the 2019 World Cup over the weekend, after they suffered an 18-10 loss to rivals Belgium in the 2018 Rugby Europe Championship.

The home side took a 12-0 lead at half-time, with number of controversial refereeing decisions went against Spain throughout the game. Spain now must beat Portugal and then Samoa in a play-off to qualify for Japan 2019.

Romania now qualify for the 2019 event, after finishing second in the championship. Interestingly the game was refereed by a Romanian official, Vlad Iordăchescu who the Spanish players felt adjudicated them unfairly throughout the game.

I made it Belgium – 7 penalties conceded (1st half – 2, 2nd half – 5) and Spain – 18 penalties (1st half – 11, 2nd half – 7) for yesterday’s game. 3-16 penalty count by 60th minute.

— Russ Petty (@rpetty80) March 19, 2018

There were ugly scenes after the game which you can see in the video above. World Rugby have now come out and stated they have asked for clarification as to why a Romania was allowed take charge, noting they have no involvement in selecting the match officials.

Statement: While World Rugby does not appoint match officials for the Rugby Europe Championship, it is in contact with Rugby Europe to understand the context of events relating to the Belgium v Spain match in Brussels on Sunday, which doubled as an important RWC 2019 qualifier.

— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) March 19, 2018