FORMER NFL referee Terry McAulay called out a controversial timeout made by Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

The sequence occurred late in the second quarter of the Chiefs-Baltimore Ravens season-opener on Thursday Night Football.

The refs granted a timeout made by Spagnuolo with nine seconds left in the second quarter as the Ravens offense was inside the red zone.

However, it's illegal for assistant coaches to call a timeout.

Only the NFL head coach, in this case, Andy Reid, can call a timeout.

Still, the timeout was given to the Kansas City team.

And no penalty was issued on the play as the drive continued.

McAulay chimed in on the broken little-known rule.

Fans were stunned at the NFL referee's decision to hand the Chiefs the timeout.

Social media users believed the game was rigged for the Kansas City team.

"Chiefs get the refs in their pockets every year," one commented.

"Fixed for the Chiefs," a second wrote.

"Death, taxes, and the Chiefs getting away with calls," a third added.

"Well apparently the Chiefs can do whatever I want," a fourth said.

The Ravens would end up kicking a field goal with Justin Tucker as the Chiefs had a 13-10 lead at halftime.

Kansas City went on to beat the Ravens 27-20 in a stunning victory.