Challenging Matches

[MrTechCenter]

Before I begin this post, I'd like to say that by no means am I trying to call-out any team or say that any wrong has been done. And for that purpose, I will not disclose any team numbers. I merely seek clarification on a rule, and that is all that I ask be discussed.

While volunteering at a regional last week, the competition got VERY intense as usual during eliminations. As expected, many teams stood in the question box to ask about rulings and occasionally challenge them. From what I observed, a rule was broken.

Under the "Tournament" section of the game manual, rule 5.5.3 states: "The Head Referee has the ultimate authority in the ARENA during the event, but may receive input from additional sources, e.g. Game Designers, FIRST personnel, and technical staff. The Head Referee rulings are final. The Head Referee will not review recorded replays under any circumstances."

A ruling was challenged via recorded video from a phone, the referee reviewed it, and the ruling was overturned. However, the outcome of the match was not affected with the ruling reversal. Now, as the rule states, the Head Referee has the Ultimate Authority, so does that mean the recorded replays will only be reviewed under the Head Referee's discretion, or not at all. My question is: What is everybody's stance on challenging rulings? Specifically, ones that use evidence such as this case.