Pundits stunned by Hearts penalty controversy as debatable decision put in 'stonewaller' category
The pundits have been left stunned by the decision against Hearts versus Motherwell.
Sky Sports pundits have been left amazed over Hearts failing to earn a penalty against Motherwell following a VAR review.
The gap at the top of the Premiership with just two games to go is down to a point after tje Jambos’ 1-1 clash at Fir Park and Celtic defeating Rangers 3-1. Controversy has emerged from the North Lanarkshire battle after Alexandros Kyziridis looked to have been clipped in the box by Motherwell’s Tawanda Maswanhise, referee Steven McClean called to the monitor by VAR operator, Greg Aitken.
McClean stuck by his initial call and that left boss McInnes far from pleased. Sky were covering the game live and Rangers hero Kris Boyd couldn’t believe it wasn’t given. He knows that it’s still in Hearts hands but watching that back may show they could be in a stronger position heading into games against Falkirk and the Hoops.
Should Hearts have had a penalty vs Motherwell?
Boyd said at the full-time whistle on Saturday: “I thought Hearts were the dominant team in that second half. It’s a stonewall penalty, we’ll come to that in a minute. Derek McInnes will be absolutely raging, the most important thing was coming here, do not lose this game of football and they haven’t. Celtic are still under pressure to win that game vs Rangers.
“They know they have to close the gap. But that man in your picture right now (McInnes) will be absolutely fuming when he goes in there and sees this penalty kick because it is a stonewaller.”
There were no claret and amber glasses attached for Motherwell favourite James McFadden who reckoned it was a spot kick. He added: “It's a penalty. I'm not trying to make excuses. I'm just trying to figure out why McLean would decide it wasn't. You can say, is there enough quality? There is. Because it stops him from being able to get the ball under control or play where he wants to play it.
"I just don't know why it's not given. It's spotted by VAR. A lot of the time we say fair play to refs for sticking by their decision. You can still do that and get it wrong which I think he has. I think it’s a big let off for Motherwell. People can look at it, if that's your team, you are absolutely screaming for a penalty kick.”
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