THE fallout of Tonga’s heartbreaking loss to England in the World Cup semi final has continued with a New Zealand commentator making a stunning accusation against referee Matt Cecchin.

Tonga were knocked out of this year’s tournament after a 20-18 loss to England on Saturday at Mt Smart Stadium, but not before they were denied a matchwinning try to Andrew Fifita.

The Pacific Islanders were down 20-0 with seven minutes remaining before they put on three quick tries to reduce the margin to two points.

In the final play of the game, Fifita charged towards the tryline but lost possession of the ball, with Cecchin ruling a knock-on and calling time.

Tongan players claimed Fifita was stripped of the ball and pleaded with Cecchin to send it to the video referee, but their requests were denied.

Kiwi sportswriter and broadcaster Phil Gifford said there was an “unconscious racist element” in not sending the play upstairs.

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“I do think it’s incredibly insulting and demeaning and arrogant of the referee to not go to the television match official,” Gifford told TVNZ 1’s Breakfast show.

“Earlier in the game he did it on several occasions and I’ll guarantee that if it had not been Tonga — if it had been Australia playing England — he would have gone to the (video referee).

“I also hate to say it, but I honestly believe — and I’m sure the referee is a good bloke and he would be horrified at the suggestion that there’s a racial element to it — but I think that there’s an unconscious racist element to it as well.

“Here’s this Pasifika team, they’re all Pasifika players obviously, and somehow or another ... I don’t think they were taken seriously enough.

“That’s a hell of a football team with some of the best rugby league players in the world and they are up there on the world stage and they were good enough to have won that game.”

Gifford’s comments are extraordinary and are already attracting criticism but there’s no doubt Cecchin’s decision not to refer the match defining call to the video referee caused a strong reaction among Tongan fans.

Following the game, supporters launched an online petition to have the decision investigated, with over 60,000 signatures gathered.

They also held a march in the streets of Auckland to protest the decision and celebrate the achievements of their nation.

Referees boss Tony Archer has since backed Cecchin’s knock-on ruling.

“The decision is correct for me and that is he’s affecting a tackle and there was no indicator he was stealing the ball,” Archer told AAP.

“It’s a loose carry, knock on, the referee called it on field.

“ ... There needs to be a deliberate intention to steal the ball, he’s affecting the tackle as his arm slides down the attacker’s arm.”