The Scottish Football Association has issued formal notices of complaint against former Hearts manager Derek McInnes, Motherwell FC, and Motherwell midfielder Elliott Watt following controversial comments made at the end of last season regarding a late VAR penalty decision. All three parties are set to face disciplinary hearings on 16 July, as the SFA’s compliance officer moves to enforce its strict rules on public criticism of match officials.
The controversy stems from a stoppage-time penalty awarded to Celtic during their 2-1 victory at Fir Park, converted by Kelechi Iheanacho. The result kept Celtic just one point behind Hearts in the title race, with the Hoops going on to beat Hearts to the Scottish Premiership title in a final-day decider just days later. The late drama at Fir Park quickly sparked widespread reaction across football circles, with referee John Beaton’s contact details even being posted online in its aftermath — prompting police to place his home under surveillance. A teenager was subsequently charged in connection with a data protection offence.
Speaking to Sky Sports following Hearts’ win against Falkirk at Tynecastle, McInnes did not hold back his frustration. “When you heard Celtic got a 96th minute penalty that was going to VAR and they were checking it, you just assume what’s happened is they get the penalty,” McInnes said. “Having seen it again, it’s disgusting. It is. But we’re up against it. We’re up against everybody.” Those remarks have now drawn the attention of the SFA’s compliance officer and resulted in a formal complaint being issued.
Motherwell FC and Elliott Watt also face sanctions over social media posts made on X. The club posted: “As the world of football mocks our game, we simply have to draw a line in the sand and shift the focus,” while Watt went further, describing the handball penalty award as “the worst VAR decision in history.” Both posts have been flagged as potential violations of SFA disciplinary rules.
The SFA compliance officer issued the complaints under disciplinary rule 72, which prohibits any person or body under the SFA’s jurisdiction from publicly criticising match officials in a way that implies bias or incompetence, or from making remarks that impinge on a match official’s character — whether through interviews, blogs, social media, or any other public platform. The upcoming disciplinary hearings on 16 July will determine the consequences for all three parties involved.
Image credit: BBC Sport / BBC Sport
