NFL FANS ACCUSE REFEREES OF FAVOURING CHIEFS IN SEASON OPENER

Fans accused National Football League officials of favouring the Kansas City Chiefs after quarterback Patrick Mahomes scored a rushing touchdown in the first quarter of the team's 2026 season opener against the Denver Broncos, according to reports collating social media reaction. Mahomes' score followed an interception thrown by Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, which Kansas City turned into points. Social media users claimed officials missed a holding penalty against Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce during the play. Posts accused referees of "cheating for" the Chiefs and described the result as "rigged as usual", according to messages shared online. One report said the reaction came from users who believe the league favours Kelce and Mahomes.

Kelce, the Chiefs' tight end, and Mahomes, the team's quarterback, were both named directly in the social media criticism of the officiating. Nix, the Broncos' quarterback, threw the interception that led to the disputed touchdown. No official review of the alleged missed holding call was cited in the reports. The criticism was confined to social media posts, with no formal complaint from either team reported. The exchange took place during and immediately after the opening quarter of the fixture.

The reports described the reaction as part of a wider pattern in which some fans have accused the league of favouring prominent Chiefs players in officiating decisions. Such claims resurfaced during the season opener after the holding call went uncalled on the touchdown-scoring play, according to the reports. The reports did not cite any statement from the National Football League addressing the allegations. The game marked the Chiefs' first fixture of the 2026 season, according to the reports.