Three Hibs vs Motherwell incidents put under ex-refs microscope as Sunderland loanee's red card scrutinised

Three Hibs vs Motherwell incidents have been put under the microscope of ex-referees.

It was a disappointing day for the Easter Road club on home soil, losing 2-1 in the Premiership to leave them 10th heading into the international break. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos put Motherwell head after half-time, following a first 45 where Hibs were on top.

Junior Hoilett levelled things up but a red card for Sunderland loanee Nectar Triantis via a second booking provided Motherwell a foothold in the game. Andy Halliday then netted a winner in the last 10 minutes.

Ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher and the Behind the Whistles podcast - ran by former SFA Category 1 Referees Des Roache & Steve Conroy - have looked at three flashpoints. Here are their verdicts.

Triantis first yellow card

The Sunderland loanee was booked for diving and then a tackle on Tony Watt. Gallagher said about the dive decision on Sky Sports: “I don’t think it is very good at all. Having done that, you should never make a tackle like that later.”

Second yellow

Gallagher: “Why would you make a tackle like this after doing what he did in the first half? Scissors him, a certain a yellow card.”

Possible Motherwell penalty

A shirt pull in the second half on Motherwell striker Stamatelopoulos was one that should have been picked up, according to the ex-refs. Behind the Whistles tweeted: “Penalty and inexcusable for VAR to miss this. We have to question what instructions have been provided on intervention for shirt pulls as a reason for VAR not to get involved.”