Six Motherwell vs Hearts referee and VAR decisions in focus as shock emerges over Jambos penalty refusal

VAR and refereeing controversy engulfed Hearts’ 1-1 draw at Motherwell amid the Premiership title race.

The Jambos head into their final two games with glory fate in their own hands, after Lawrence Shankland’s strike ensured a share of the Fir Park spoils, following Stephen Kingsley’s own goal. It perhaps should have been three after Alexandros Kyziridis was denied a penalty after a challenge by Motherwell’s Tawanda Maswanhise. Hearts are four points clear in first ahead of second-placed Celtic taking on Rangers this Sunday.

Steven McClean was brought to the VAR monitor by operator Greg Aitken but the match referee opted to stick by his initial decision. That was not the only big call between the pair on a night where refereeing talking points were rife. Here are six of the big flashpoints in focus.

Shankland goal vs Motherwell foul claim

Motherwell players were left unhappy as the Hearts talisman levelled up scoring with Celtic loanee Welsh feeling as if he had been fouled in the build-up. He went down under a challenge from Shankland upon an initial cross into the box which allowed the forward space to rifle home from close range. VAR had a look and deemed it a goal, something Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou didn’t disagree with. Pundit Kris Boyd said: “Lawrence Shankland doing what he does best. Stephen Welsh is far too weak and falls hoping to get a foul.”

Emmanuel Longelo handball claim

A Hearts penalty claim came soon after as Motherwell’s Emmanuel Longelo looked to have made contact with the ball high up his arm. Away players made appeals but again the decision was no. IFAB rules state: “It is an offence if a player deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm, for example moving the hand/arm towards the ball. Touches the ball with their hand/arm when it has made their body unnaturally bigger. A player is considered to have made their body unnaturally bigger when the position of their hand/arm is not a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation. By having their hand/arm in such a position, the player takes a risk of their hand/arm being hit by the ball and being penalised.”

Michael Steinwender red card check

There was a check for Hearts defender Steinwender over serious foul play after a challenge on Elijah Just. It seemed a late one at the time but perhaps nothing more than that. VAR did take a bit of time over this but a booking was eventually deemed suffice punishment.

Stephen O’Donnell offside goal

This one perhaps one of the more clear cut of the night. The Motherwell right-back ran onto the ball after a botched Ibrahim Said shot with celebrations muted after tapping beyond Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow. Tighter than what a live look suggested but the right call.

Alexandros Kyziridis penalty check

This has everyone talking. Play was stopped so McClean could have a look at it, and most people inside the ground thought a penalty would be given, including Askou. Maswanhise looks to have clipped the winger on replays but McClean insisted there was not enough in it to declare a spot kick. Hearts manager Derek McInnes was incensed and Askou said: “I think you can see that there's a little bit of contact but not enough to drop yourself to the ground like that and make it look like it's the worst tackle in the history of football. I have to admit I was shocked that he said no, it's not a penalty, because we've had so many crazy things against us this season.

“Even last time we played them when they got a bizarre penalty (Pierre Landry Kabore’s penalty vs Motherwell in April’s 3-1 win) to decide the game. So it made me still believe in the football gods when he decided not to give a penalty. It's obviously difficult in a game of this importance, but Steve is a very experienced referee, so of course he has to have that strength in there. But I don't really see it as a very difficult call when I see it again on TV.”

Tawanda Maswanhise penalty claim

Then up the other end Motherwell had a shout of their own. A long ball had Hearts players at sixes and sevens trying to deal with it, Steinwender initially going down, before Maswanhise went down under a Baningime challenge. Again the referee waved play on after Aitken cast his eye over it with Askou not feeling it warranted a penalty. Chris Sutton said on Sky’s co-commentary: “Maswanhise asking for a penalty. Little shift on the inside. Is there enough contact? There’s a little kick there but I don’t think it’s sufficient contact. I think it’s similar to the Kyziridis one and looking to go down. There is contact but I think he’s looking for it.”

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