Celtic release new evidence penalty was handball in furious SPFL row | Football | Sport
Celtic have published their own footage of the disputed penalty incident in the dramatic late victory over Motherwell amid mounting controversy. Motherwell star Sam Nicholson competed for a header with Hoops’ defender Auston Trusty in the dying moments of the match at Fir Park, with the match locked at 2-2.
As the pair battled for Anthony Ralston’s long-throw, VAR intervened to alert referee John Beaton to a handball incident – prompting him to award the penalty. Kelechi Iheanacho converted from 12 yards to trigger jubilation in the away end and set up a final-day title decider for the Premiership crown.
Had the match stayed level, Celtic would have faced Hearts on Saturday, needing to triumph by three goals to secure the Scottish title.
The incident has ignited fierce controversy – with some labelling the decision “the worst VAR decision in history” – but the Glasgow giants’ club media have now unveiled a previously unseen angle from behind the aerial battle between Trusty and Nicholson.
The controversy continues to intensify and having waded in two-footed hours after the flashpoint, Rangers legend Ally McCoist stood firm and claimed he has heard growing talk about “cheating” in the title race from supporters in England.
He told talkSPORT: “I’m really not sure it has [divided opinion] because the vast majority of people that I speak to think it was an absolutely shocking decision.
“I think I’ll take it a step further.I think the use of VAR has embarrassed Scottish football. You know, for the guys in control to think that is a clear and obvious error is absolutely remarkable.
“Remarkable. And then, for the referee who has got previous with Celtic supporters, let’s not forget that, he’s got previous Celtic supporters and not in a good way, goes over and makes the decision after 15 seconds or so, it’s just a car crash really. It’s an absolute car crash.
“When you get people down south looking at it and using the words cheating, it’s such a shame because I don’t mind telling you, it probably has tarnished the Scottish Premiership title ever so slightly in my opinion because no matter what happens at the weekend we’ll be talking about this decision I think for a long long time. Very sad.”
However, former Hoops’ manager Neil Lennon adopted a contrasting stance, highlighting the video, which shows Motherwell’s Nicholson ascending above Trusty.
He told the BBC: “It was inconclusive last night, really, when you see the clips from TV. But there is a photograph doing the rounds this morning that is pretty conclusive that it was a handball.
“He didn’t take long to make the decision, he was there for about 20 seconds. I’m not a lover of VAR, I’m not a lover of the handball rule, but it just adds to the drama and tension.”
