Motherwell have failed in their attempt to reduce a £5,000 fine over their reaction to a late Celtic penalty. Elliot Watt’s suspension was reduced from four matches to two after the same incident, with a further two suspended until the end of next season.
The disciplinary split
The punishment came after a last-gasp penalty award to Celtic at Fir Park in May. BBC Sport reported that Watt branded the decision the "worst VAR decision in history", and the appeal panel was willing to ease his sanction even while keeping the club fine in place.
That split feels about right. Motherwell’s complaint crossed a line in the panel’s eyes, but the player case did not draw the same outcome. The fine stayed at £5,000, which is the part Motherwell could not shake.
The incident that triggered the case
The VAR-assisted call was for a handball against Sam Nicholson, and Kelechi Iheanacho converted from the spot with the last kick of the game. It was that sequence, plus the club’s social-media response, that brought the disciplinary action.
BBC Sport also quoted Derek McInnes, who called the decision "disgusting" and said, "we are up against everybody". The language around the match clearly did not calm the process that followed.
Motherwell’s appeal did at least soften one part of the punishment, but the club now has to live with the £5,000 fine and Watt’s reduced two-match ban.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
