In the space of 25 minutes, Colombian referee John Jairo Toro Rendon showed the red card three times and flashed the yellow card with gay abandon as Denmark and South Africa battled to a 1-1 draw.
And the jeering, whistling crowd at the Stade Municipal here knew that they had seen a good game ruined.
The Group C encounter was down as a near certain win for the former European champions, particularly as there had been a number of well-documented stories of strife in the South African camp.
The South Africans needed to win, but if the three points had gone Denmark's way, it would have ensured automatic qualification for the second round.
The 1-1 draw pleased neither team but worse off were the fans who, at these World Cup ticket prices, paid plenty for the privilege.
They were denied a red-hot second half by another inadequate referee.
