The Scottish FA's Key Match Incident (KMI) panel has concluded that Celtic's match-winning penalty against Motherwell last week should not have been awarded. The decision, which played a pivotal role in the Scottish Premiership title race, has been deemed incorrect after review.
Celtic were awarded a spot-kick deep into stoppage time at Fir Park with the score at 2-2. Kelechi Iheanacho converted the penalty, securing a 3-2 victory that altered the title race dynamics. Had the match ended in a draw, Celtic would have needed to beat Hearts by a three-goal margin on the final day to secure the championship. Instead, the win meant a simple victory sufficed, which they achieved with a 3-1 result.
VAR Andrew Dallas intervened, advising referee John Beaton to review the incident on the pitchside monitor. Beaton overturned his initial decision not to award a penalty, ruling that Motherwell winger Sam Nicholson had handled the ball. However, replays suggested the ball struck Nicholson's head, not his hand. The KMI panel confirmed Beaton's original call was correct and the VAR intervention was erroneous.
The controversy sparked intense backlash, with Hearts manager Derek McInnes describing the decision as "disgusting." Beaton was placed under police protection after his personal details were leaked online. This incident was the second major VAR controversy to affect Hearts in the closing weeks of the season, following a disputed penalty decision in their match against Motherwell.
Celtic's manager Martin O'Neill defended the call at the time, stating it "looks as if it's a pretty clear cut" for handball and an elbow. However, the KMI panel's ruling has now vindicated critics of the decision.
