Poorly Drawn Penalty Box Delays MLS Playoff Game

A playoff game between the Montreal Impact and Toronto FC was delayed on Tuesday after officials found an error on the field.

The lines around the penalty box had been drawn incorrectly, and the game was delayed for more than 40 minutes while the error was corrected, according to ESPN FC.

All of the lines that make up the box were drawn approximately two yards closer to the goal than they should have been. The lines had to be repainted before the game could begin.

Not something you see every day - match delayed because penalty box was painted too narrow. #MTLVTOR pic.twitter.com/tbY8158zob

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 23, 2016

The game took place at the former home of the Montreal Expos baseball team, a larger stadium than the Impact’s normal home pitch at the 20,801-seat Stade Saputo. The team sold 61,004 tickets for the match.

“We’re somewhat embarrassed,” Impact president Joey Saputo told ESPN FC. “Obviously it’s the first time it’s happened to us.

Saputo took responsibility for the mistake, despite the fact that checking lines is the responsibility of the officiating crew, who were slightly late in arriving to the game.

“We have to take responsibility for it. It’s our fault. It’s unfortunate it happened,” Saputo said.