Ex referee insists Hearts penalty decision vs Motherwell was 'wrong' as Michael Stewart stunned by 'wild' call
Penalty debate has emerged from the clash between Motherwell and Hearts at Fir Park.
A former Premier League referee has claimed Steven McClean was wrong to not award Hearts a second half penalty vs Motherwell.
The official was called to the monitor by VAR operator Greg Aitken after Jambos winger Alexandros Kyziridis went down in the box under a Tawanda Maswanhise tackle. McClean hadn’t given a penalty on the field of play and stuck by his original decision after some replays of the footage.
It has sparked mass debate with several pundits believing the decision was incorrect. Keith Hackett is one of them and the ex-EPL whistler reckons that anything to do with contact inside the box constitutes the awarding of an opportunity of a spot kick. The game finished 1-1 and leaves Hearts four points clear in the Premiership’s first place ahead of Celtic beneath them hosting Rangers.
Should Hearts have had a penalty vs Motherwell?
Hackett told Football Insider: “Maswanhise is not making an attempt to play the ball and catches his opponent; it was a careless challenge, and the VAR was correct to bring the referee to the monitor. McLean then makes the wrong call by not awarding a penalty to Hearts.
“The law states that if an offence involves contact, then it is penalised with a foul. The challenge was careless, as Maswanhise showed a lack of attention when challenging for the ball. It should have resulted in a penalty.”
Former Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart took to X to describe his shock at the decision that could come with title race implications within the next week. He said: “A good many people feared VAR/officiating would have a huge part to play in the title race. Hopefully it isn’t decisive but deary me. How the referee can look at the replays and not see a foul/penalty infringement has occurred is wild.”
Derek McInnes on Motherwell 1-1 Hearts
Speaking after the game on the decision, Hearts boss Derek McInnes said: "At the time I thought it was a penalty, [the VAR] has done his job well. The referee had a poor game tonight. The biggest decision of the lot he got wrong. There doesn't need to be a lot of contact. Why would he go down? It's a penalty kick. It's a poor decision.
He added on the game: "I thought Motherwell started sharp and you see why we go with the extra midfielder there. They are a team that test your organisation, they are bright and particularly here at Fir Park, where their record has been magnificent and they deserve all the plaudits they get.
"In saying that, I don't think they had many opportunities. They get their goal and we are disappointed as we should defend it better. We responded well and I thought we were the better team and Lawrence [Shankland] got his goal. The biggest thing about my team is their desire to win. Despite obvious injuries and setbacks, we are patched together, we come though with plenty of credit. I think you can see why my team are top of the league."
The Scottish Football Social Club is presented by BetSBK.com | 18+ | Gamble Responsibly