Gotham FC players were left outraged after the referee made a bizarre decision during their match against Angel City in the NWSL, the women's football league in the US. The two sides met at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey, with Gotham FC showing early signs of promise by dominating possession.This seemed to have paid off in the 11th minute, when Ifeoma Onumonu delicately chipped the ball over the goalkeeper from a tight angle.The ball came off the back off post and clearly went over the line, before Angel City goalkeeper Dijana Haračić scooped it up.Confusion reigned for a number of minutes before it became clear that the referee had not awarded a goal. Instead, he had given Gotham FC a corner.To add insult to injury, Angel City went on to triumph 3-1, with first-half goals from Savannah McCaskill, Cari Roccaro and Claire Emslie.Paige Monaghan scored a consolation goal for Gotham FC in the second-half, but it was not enough for her side to get back into the match.

Video: Watch bizarre refereeing decision in the NWSL

A video of the incident quickly went viral on Twitter, and Gotham FC even received support from a member of a rival team.

North Carolina Courage’s Abby Erceg posted: “So.. If the ball crosses the line between those two white sticks with a net on it it’s considered out now, not a goal?

“Phew, glad I saw this before our game today, would have had my priorities all messed up.”

The NWSL does not currently use goal-line technology or VAR, but there have been discussions to implement this from next season. This latest officiating controversy should only further the cause for such technology in the league.

The incident was symbolic of Gotham FC’s season so far, with the side currently bottom of the NWSL with 12 points. They last recorded a victory on July 9th, with the defeat to Angel City their seventh in a row.

Angel City, an expansion team with Natalie Portman, Eva Longoria, Mia Hamm and Serena Williams among the ownership group, are faring better during their debut season in the NWSL.

The side are seventh in the table, just one point off a place in the play-offs.