San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh has slammed the Super Bowl XLVII referees for what he believes was a missed call late in the game.
The Baltimore Ravens held on to win a classic NFL decider 34-31 with Harbaugh upset at the non-decision which potentially cost them victory.
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick passed towards wide receiver Michael Crabtree on a fourth down for a potentially match-winning touchdown.
Despite Crabtree appearing to be contacted by Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith, the referees ruled it unintentional - much to the ire of Harbaugh at the time.
And when the dust settled on the match, he was still furious the call was not made, while also rueing a missed call on pass interference at the second and goal just moments earlier.
"I really want to handle this with class and grace, and we had several opportunities in this game," Harbaugh said.
"We didn't play our best game, and the Ravens made a lot of plays and battled back.
"They competed to win. But there's no question in my mind that there was a pass interference (second and goal) and then a hold on Crabtree on the last one (fourth and goal)."
Crabtree said he was also expecting a flag on the play.
"When somebody grabs you, you always expect a call. But you can't whine to the refs. It is what it is," Crabtree told the San Jose Mercury News.
It was a strange sensation for victorious Baltimore coach John Harbaugh, who had to console his defeated brother just moments after clinching a Super Bowl title.
But the victor said he was 'hurting' for his younger brother after the nail-biting contest.
"Jim is a great competitor," Harbaugh said.
"I just love him, obviously. I think anybody out there who has a brother can understand. I just believe in him and I have so much respect for him. I admire him. I look up to him in so many ways and I am hurting for him in that sense."
Ravens quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco was blown away by the win after his three touchdown passes in the first half.
"It's unbelievable," Flacco told NFL.com.
"I tell you what, we don't make it easy.
"But that's the way the city of Baltimore is, that's the way we are. We did this for them back home."
Flacco, who put off contract talks until the end of the season, joked he would now seek out Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti for some extra cash.
"Steve Bisciotti told me if this happens, I can go pound on his desk and stick it to him. That's exactly what I'm going to do," Flacco said.