Motherwell fined and player banned after branding Celtic penalty 'worst VAR decision in history'

Motherwell have been fined £5,000 and a player given a four-match ban after calling a Celtic penalty decision through VAR “the worst in history”.

Martin O’Neill’s men won 3-2 at Fir Park thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho’s spot-kick deep into stoppage time in the penultimate game of the Premiership season.

The decision sparked global debate after Motherwell attacker Sam Nicholson was adjudged to have handled in the penalty area as he challenged for the ball with Auston Trusty.

It attracted comments from football fans around the world, from Morocco to Canada.

The referee John Beaton didn’t notice anything untoward with the challenge, but was called to the monitor by VAR official Andrew Dallas.

Beaton took less than 20 seconds to decide it was a penalty after looking at replays and Iheanacho slotted the resulting spot-kick to take it down to the final day.

Celtic then went on to win the Scottish Premiership in dramatic fashion on the final day against rivals Hearts.

However, the SFA’s KMI refereeing panel ruled Celtic should not have been awarded the spot-kick.

Following the game, Motherwell’s Elliot Watt took to social media to say: “The worst VAR decision in history. But a top team performance that deserved more.”

Now, an SFA disciplinary panel has handed Watt an immediate four-match suspension at a hearing on Thursday.

The club were also fined £5,000 to be paid within 30 days under a similar disciplinary matter.

The club had posted a video to its social media following the game, saying: “As the world of football mocks our game, we simply have to draw a line in the sand and shift the focus.”

The SFA ruling states: “No recognised football body, club, official, Team Official or other member of Team Staff, player or other person under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA, shall in an interview, a ‘blog’ on the internet, on a social networking or micro-blogging site, or in any other manner calculated or likely to lead to publicity (i) criticise the Decision(s) and/or performance(s) of any or all match official(s) in such a way as to indicate bias or incompetence on the part of such match official; or (ii) make remarks about such match official(s) which impinge on his character.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this Rule applies (i) whether reported to the Scottish FA by a match official for Misconduct or otherwise, and (ii) where remarks are brought to the Scottish FA’s attention, or of which the Scottish FA becomes aware, by whatever manner or means.

“There shall be a presumption that any material published in such manner was published in the name of and/or with the authority of the person or body bearing to have published the material.”

Motherwell FC has been contacted for comment.