The CFL admits it made a mistake, something that's nice, but doesn't do the Ottawa RedBlacks a whole lot of good at this point.

With the RedBlacks trailing by six, with a bit more than eight minutes left in their 23-17 loss to the Montreal Alouettes Friday at TD Place, Brandon London fumbled the ball, stripped by Abdul Kanneh and recovered by Jovon Johnson, deep in Als' territory.

The refs ruled fumble, which was challenged by the Alouettes. After the CFL command centre overturned the original call, RedBlacks coach Rick Campbell heaved his challenge flag halfway across the field in protest.

The command centre once again ruled it was not a fumble. It cost the RedBlacks both possession of the football and a crucial timeout in a close game.

"After reviewing the play, we believe that there wasn't indisputable evidence to overturn the call on the field of a fumble," a CFL official said in a statement Monday afternoon.

"They should have left the call the way it was on the field," said Campbell. "The (challenge) rule is to correct mistakes. The overriding theme is if it's not a sure thing, you don't overturn it."

Twitter: @timcbaines