Motherwell have failed in an appeal to have a £5,000 fine overturned for their reaction to a late penalty awarded to Celtic last season. The Scottish FA appeal panel upheld the original punishment, which was issued for a social media post criticising the match officials after a VAR-assisted handball decision. The incident occurred in May during Celtic's dramatic 3-2 win at Fir Park, where Kelechi Iheanacho converted the spot-kick in the final moments.
This news comes as Celtic continue their imperious start to the 2026-27 Premiership season. According to the latest standings, the champions sit first with a perfect record of five wins from five games, amassing 15 points. They lead the table by three points from Heart of Midlothian and boast a formidable goal difference of +10, having scored 13 goals while conceding just three.
What happened in the Motherwell match?
The controversy stemmed from a stoppage-time incident in the match on May 25. VAR recommended a review for a potential handball by Motherwell's Sam Nicholson, and referee Nick Walsh awarded a penalty after consulting the pitchside monitor. Iheanacho scored from the spot to secure a 3-2 victory for Celtic. In the immediate aftermath, Motherwell posted criticism of the decision on the club's official social media channels. The Scottish FA charged both the club and former player Elliot Watt, who had commented on the post, with breaching rules that prohibit implying bias or incompetence from match officials.
What punishments were handed out?
Motherwell received the £5,000 fine, which has now been confirmed following their unsuccessful appeal. Elliot Watt, who now plays for Samsunspor in Turkey, faced a separate disciplinary process. He was initially given a four-match suspension for his social media comment. That ban was later reduced to a two-match suspension, with a further two matches suspended until the end of the 2026-27 season. The BBC Sport Football report notes that Rangers manager Derek McInnes also had a three-match touchline ban reduced to two matches for comments he made about the same incident.
How did other figures react at the time?
The penalty decision provoked strong reactions beyond Motherwell. The then-Hearts manager, who was working as a pundit for the television broadcast, described the call as "disgusting" in a post-match interview. He went further, claiming "we are up against everybody" in his assessment of the officiating. This quote was cited during the disciplinary proceedings as an example of the heightened emotions surrounding the late VAR intervention.
Where does this leave Celtic now?
While the disciplinary matter is now closed, Celtic's focus is entirely on the present campaign. The team's flawless start, detailed in our stats section, demonstrates their strong early-season form. Brendan Rodgers' squad will look to maintain their momentum when they return to domestic action. Their next Premiership fixture is a home match against St Johnstone on December 5. You can view the full schedule on our fixtures page. St Johnstone currently sit seventh in the table, providing the next test for the league leaders at Celtic Park.
