SFA's 'expected' stance on Celtic penalty made clear as two ex referees send verdict amid Hearts title race
Hearts are impacted by the decision to award Celtic a penalty vs Motherwell.
Two former referees have added their names to the list of people who thought the Celtic penalty award vs Motherwell was incorrect - as the SFA prepares to stand by John Beaton.
Hearts were left unhappy as their Premiership title rivals watched the need to win by three goals on the final day of the season against them turn to needing victory by any margin at Parkhead following late drama versus Motherwell. With the game locked at 2-2 deep in second half stoppage time, Beaton was called to the monitor by VAR official Andrew Dallas, to look at a possible Sam Nicholson handball in a challenge against Celtic’s Auston Trusty.
Referee Beaton pointed to the spot but it’s sparked mass debate across the footballing world after Kelechi Iheanacho scored to clinch a 3-2 Hoops victory. According to the Telegraph, head of referees Willie Collum will address the situation next week, while ‘the Scottish Football Association is expected to stand by referee John Beaton’s VAR review decision to award Celtic one of the most heavily contested penalties in the history of the Scottish game.’ Hearts head to Glasgow this weekend needing to avoid defeat in order to win their first top flight title since 1960.
What do SFA think of Celtic penalty vs Motherwell?
Even if the SFA stand by Beaton, that will not bring an end to debate, with the likes of ex-officials Bobby Madden and Steve Conroy believing it was wrong. Keith Hackett is a former Premier League referee and reckons it was also the incorrect decision, telling Football Insider: “I have taken another look at the penalty kick awarded to Celtic in the 97th minute. My first observation was that it was awarded for handball.
“This judgment was based on the unnatural position of the defender’s arm. However, when you look at this incident on the big screen, there is no conclusive evidence that the ball has come into contact with the defender when he is clearing it with his head.
“We then look at the position of the defender’s arm, and for me, football is a contact sport and there is a natural coming together. I do not see a push that impacts on the Celtic player. So in review, I believe that this decision is incorrect.”
What does former referee think of Celtic penalty vs Motherwell?
Ex Premier League referee Graham Scott was ‘baffled’ over why VAR decided to get involved after Beaton initially didn’t blow for a penalty. He told the Athletic: “Like many viewers, I was somewhat baffled by the decision to award Celtic a penalty in added time at Motherwell.
“For the first time since their recent introduction, I was bemoaning the lack of an on-field announcement so I could discover what the penalty was for. Usually, they add little value, but here it could have been invaluable. Motherwell’s Nicholson used his arm to gain leverage, protect himself and fend off Celtic’s Trusty, but I could not see an offence that was worthy of such a harsh sanction.
“The ball may have brushed Nicholson’s hand in the duel, but there is no evidence of a deliberate act, and his hand and arm were in line with part of his body, which is usually sufficient mitigation for the referee to play on and the VAR to leave well alone.”