Motherwell midfielder Elliot Watt has been handed a four-match suspension by the Scottish Football Association two weeks before the new season.
Watt was charged after he called the penalty incident in their defeat to Celtic ‘the worst VAR decision in history’.
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Celtic were awarded a late spot-kick in their 3-2 win at Fir Park in May when Sam Nicholson was adjudged to have handled the ball.
Referee John Beaton gave the penalty after checking with VAR, and Kelechi Iheanacho scored for the visitors.
It was a hugely controversial decision that the then Hearts boss Derek McInnes called ‘disgusting’ amid their title race against Celtic, which was decided in a dramatic final day showdown at Celtic Park.
Watt took to X to make his complaint after the full-time whistle, and has now been punished with a ban.
He cannot play in any Motherwell’s opening four matches of the new Scottish Premiership season, which begins on July 31, meaning he’ll miss games against Hibernian, Falkirk, Aberdeen and St Mirren.
What rule did Watt break?
As per the Scottish FA, the 26-year-old was charged for breaking their Disciplinary Rule 72, which he admitted.
It reads: “No recognised football body, club, official, Team Official or other member of Team Staff, player or other person under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA, shall in an interview, a ‘blog’ on the internet, on a social networking or micro-blogging site, or in any other manner calculated or likely to lead to publicity (i) criticise the Decision(s) and/or performance(s) of any or all match official(s) in such a way as to indicate bias or incompetence on the part of such match official; or (ii) make remarks about such match official(s) which impinge on his character.
“For the avoidance of doubt this Rule applies (i) whether reported to the Scottish FA by a match official for Misconduct or otherwise, and (ii) where remarks are brought to the Scottish FA’s attention, or of which the Scottish FA becomes aware, by whatever manner or means.
“There shall be a presumption that any material published in such manner was published in the name of and/or with the authority of the person or body bearing to have published the material.”
Motherwell have also been fined £5,000, to be paid within 30 days, for a similar breach.
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“As the world of football mocks our game, we simply have to draw a line in the sand and shift the focus,” they posted on X after the game.
“The club are extremely disappointed at the outcome of today’s hearing in relation to the Scottish FA’s notice of complaint received by the club,” Motherwell said in response.
“The notice of complaint related to a social media post and related video that was published following our last home game of the 2025/26 season.
“The club have requested the written reasons in relation to the decision, and thereafter we will liaise with our external solicitors on any next steps.”
Motherwell finished fourth in the Scottish Premiership and will play in the second qualifying round of the Conference League.
Their European campaign begins on July 23 with the first leg against Faroese side Havnar Boltfelag.
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McInnes, who is now the Rangers manager, has also been charged for breaching Disciplinary Rule 72 and his hearing comes on Wednesday.
Celtic’s win against Motherwell meant they went into the final day of the season just one point behind the leaders Hearts.
They then came from behind to beat them 3-1 at Celtic Park and win their 56th Scottish title.
