Bath head coach Johann van Graan has questioned the consistency of television match official footage after his side's 38-26 loss to Bordeaux-Begles in the Investec Champions Cup semi-final, claiming several potential foul play incidents were overlooked.
Speaking after the match, Van Graan specifically highlighted three carries by Alfie Barbeary that he believed made direct contact with the head. While acknowledging that Bordeaux were the better team on the day, he called for uniform access to footage across all venues.
"All we want is consistency on both sides of the ball right through the competition," Van Graan told BBC Sport. "I want to ask why certain things are not picked up when you play away from home in France."
The defending champions delivered a blistering first-half performance, with tries from Marko Gazzotti, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, and Maxime Lucu building a 24-12 lead at the break. Bath wing Will Muir scored twice to keep his side in contention, but Bordeaux's relentless pace eventually proved decisive.
Louie Hennessey's try early in the second half gave Bath hope, but Bordeaux's 23-stone-plus substitute Ben Tameifuna powered over for a crucial score, and Temo Matiu sealed the result. Tom Carr-Smith's late consolation try was not enough.
Van Graan congratulated Bordeaux and praised the officials but stressed the need for TMOs to have access to all available footage. "From my point of view, you want the match officials to know what they are looking at," he added.
Bordeaux will face Leinster in the final as they bid for back-to-back titles.