My better chess analogy on why the saints should have won.

To OP champagne: Your chess analogy on why the saints should have lost is shite. Complete and utter shite.

This is how it would play out.

You are playing in the world semi final in chess and are equally matched. You are potentialy one play from putting your opponent in a possition that they cant win.

Your opponent accendently places their hand on the wrong piece then immediately removes it to pick another (correct) piece (one of the most obvious illegal moves to see in chess...), you and everyone else sees it the whole world sees it, gasps and boos are heard. But neither judge sees it. Or he sees it but chooses not to see it.

The illegal move if called would have all but guaranteed your win, so long as nothing crazy happens like you commit a incorrect touch or something (fumble/missed field goal), because no matter where he moved the incorrectly touched piece he would be in checkmate.

You complained to the judge and he ignores you, saying that it cant be reviewed. So the game goes on. You make a decent play, to get back ahead. Then he gets back even. You make a crucial but legal mistake, and you opponent immediately capitalizes on it and seals the game...