Gotcha.
One thing younger officials need to learn is when to stand up in those situations. You were clearly right but the learning is when to stand your ground.
Keep in mind that someone working 20 years might be a person with 20 one year experiences. Now you know, now do not let anyone do that to you again without a fight.
That is a pretty basic rule and I am shocked that a person of that experience would not at least know that. But then again nothing really surprises me anymore.
Peace