substitute or not

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

No, the official is incorrect. This has to be caught prior to the ball becoming live to start the game or the player must exit the game and then re-enter. During the intermission between quarters the five players are still players. No substitution has taken place.

RULE 10, SECTION 3 PLAYER TECHNICAL
A player shall not:
...
ART. 2 . . . W ear an illegal number or an illegal shirt or illegal pants/skirt.
PENALTY Art. 2) Each violation is penalized one time if discovered prior to ball becoming live for each designated starter and each substitute who enters.

You may want to check out case book play 3.4.SitB too--"The five players of B cannot be penalized unless they are replaced and are penalized before the ball becomes live on return".