Worst VAR decision ever? Celtic penalty branded 'disgusting' as title race takes new twist | OneFootball

Celtic’s 99th-minute penalty has caused outrage in Scottish Premiership and beyond

A thrilling Scottish Premiership title race is going down to the final day thanks for what has been described as "the worst VAR decision" ever seen, which threatens to make a mockery of the country's game.

Another drama-filled night of top-flight action saw Celtic needing to match league-leaders Hearts' result to have any realistic chance of clinching the title on Sunday, when they host the Jambos.

Hearts wrapped up a routine 3-0 win, which also hugely boosted their goal difference, as Celtic went behind early at Motherwell, recovered to take the lead only to get pegged back by Liam Gordon’s late equalizer.

Five minutes of injury time were added on as Celtic pushed for a winner, and with seconds remaining former Hearts midfielder Sam Nicholson was penalised for handball after jumping to head the ball away. The ball appeared to hit his raised hand right in front of his head as he challenged for the ball with Celtic defender Auston Trusty.

It’s one of the worst decisions I’ve seen in my career, taking everything into consideration

otherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou

Referee John Beaton was called to the monitor by video assistant Andrew Dallas and duly awarded a penalty, which Kelechi Ihenacho slotted him in the 99th minute to seal a 3-2 win with the last kick of the game.

It was the most dramatic moment of a title race which has served up plenty all season.

Speaking after the game, Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou said: "I think it’s one of the worst decisions I’ve seen in my career, taking everything into consideration. I thought I’d seen it all this season, but I hadn’t.

"If we keep making calls that we have done too many times, we will end up being ridiculed as a football country and I don’t think we deserve that because in so many ways this country is taking steps in the right direction, especially this season. It’s a shame.

"Even watching it from a distance I was shocked he even got called to the monitor because you can see he connects with his head.

"The reason you could find a picture where it hits his finger, it's because he connects with Trusty and his arm gets pushed in the direction where he’s heading the ball. Even if he finds a connection with the arm, it’s not a penalty."

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill was initially in no doubt over the award, adding to Sky Sports: “We got a penalty which looks like it was pretty clear cut. He’s given it for the handball and also the elbow [on Trusty] on top of that, as well.”

Pushed on the penalty in his post-match press conference, O’Neill was less forthright with his opinion. He said: “The lads have a little monitor. It’s very small. I can’t really see it. I need another pair of glasses to see it. The lads thought it was a handball, an elbow as well too."

Without the late penalty, Celtic would have need to beat Hearts by three goals to clinch the title on Sunday, but now any victory will do.

Sky Sports

Speaking after Hearts' win, Derek McInnes described the decision as "disgusting". He told reporters: "It feels like us against everybody

"When you see the two that we didn’t get at the weekend [in a 1-1 draw with Hearts] and then you see that, how they can arrive at that situation… Celtic have had more than a touch of fortune getting that penalty.

"I’m getting more and more dismayed at some of the decisions that our referees are coming up with. It’s such a bad decision.

"Motherwell must feel totally aggrieved about it. I don’t see… I had to keep looking at it. I thought I was missing something when I was watching it. I had to ask, ‘what am I looking for here?’ So, it’s actually quite disgusting, to be honest. It feels like us against everybody."

The outrage has spread south of the border, with former England striker Gary Lineker posting on X: "This might be the worst VAR decision I’ve seen (and there’s a lot of competition). Extraordinary given the significance."

Former Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling replied with "heads it", and added: "Seriously that is never a handball at Fir Park. The boy headed it 20 yards. The ref takes one look after VAR calls him over. Embarrassing for Scottish football."

Pat Nevin, commentator for BBC 5 Live at the game remained adamant that the ball "hit his head", adding: "If I had to stick my neck out, I'd say it touched the edge of his pinky."