Motherwell have failed in an appeal against a £5,000 fine imposed for their reaction to a controversial penalty awarded to Celtic last season. The Scottish FA appeal panel upheld the sanction, originally levied for a social media post following a VAR-assisted handball decision against Sam Nicholson at Fir Park in May.
The incident occurred during a 3-2 defeat where Kelechi Iheanacho converted the spot-kick. The club and former midfielder Elliot Watt, now at Turkish side Samsunspor, were both charged with breaching rules that prohibit criticism of match officials implying bias or incompetence. The BBC reported the outcome this week.
What was the original incident?
The flashpoint came in a Premiership match last May. VAR intervened to award Celtic a penalty for a handball by Motherwell's Sam Nicholson. The decision proved significant as Iheanacho scored from the spot in what ended as a 3-2 victory for the visitors. Motherwell's official social media account later posted criticism of the call, which triggered the SFA disciplinary process.
Hearts' manager at the time described the decision as "disgusting" in a televised interview, highlighting the controversy it generated beyond Fir Park. The formal charges stated that both the club and Watt had brought the game into disrepute by suggesting official incompetence.
What were the punishments?
Motherwell received the £5,000 fine, which their appeal has now confirmed. For Elliot Watt, the disciplinary panel initially issued a four-match suspension. This was later reduced to a two-game ban, with a further two matches suspended until the end of the following season. The reduction came after representations were made regarding the player's immediate contrition and clean prior record.
In a related case, Rangers manager Derek McInnes also faced sanction for comments about the same incident. His original three-match touchline ban was cut to two matches on appeal. These parallel cases show the SFA's consistent application of rules designed to protect match officials from public criticism.
Where does this leave Motherwell now?
Fast forward to the current 2026-27 campaign, and Motherwell sit 5th in the Premiership with 8 points from five games. Their record shows two wins, two draws and one loss, with a recent form guide reading LWDDW. They have scored 8 goals and conceded 5, giving them a +3 goal difference. You can track their progress in the standings.
The title race already sees them 7 points behind leaders Celtic, emphasising the importance of every decision in a tight league. The club is also managing a significant injury list, with Callum Hendry, Johnny Koutroumbis, Jordan McGhee, Paul McGinn, and Oscar Priestman all currently sidelined. Full details are on our injuries page.
What's next for the team?
Attention now turns to the pitch and the upcoming fixture schedule. Motherwell's next match is a home game against Dundee on December 19th. Dundee currently occupy 6th place, making it a key mid-table clash. The full run of fixtures shows a busy period ahead as the squad looks to maintain its top-half position.
The upheld fine serves as a reminder of the strict protocols surrounding official communications, even in the heat of a contentious moment. Managerial and club staff will be mindful of this precedent when dealing with future VAR controversies. Motherwell's focus is firmly on the present campaign, aiming to build on a solid start and close the gap to the league leaders. Their next challenge comes at Fir Park against Dundee in December.
