NafisaIrked Motherwell goalkeeper Calum Ward admits he was left annoyed by the disputed Celtic penalty decision at Fir Park – branding it “one of the biggest decisions in the season.”
And he believes that angles that have emerged since full-time show that referee John Beaton should not have awarded the spot-kick.
Pundits across the world debated the key moment as Sam Nicholson was judged to have handled the ball in the closing seconds of the match against the Hoops, with the score level at 2-2.
Andrew Dallas in the VAR booth would intervene to alert referee Beaton, who pointed to the penalty spot.
Kelechi Iheanacho converted from 12 yards – but had the game stayed level, Celtic would have required a three-goal victory to secure the Scottish title.
In the end, they only needed a win to become champions as Martin O’Neill’s side recorded a 3-1 victory over the Jambos.
Since the season concluded, the SFA’s KMI panel have stated that the match officials got the major call incorrect.
Reflecting on the season with club media, Ward highlighted the key incident and reignited the discussion stating: “It’s hard to say anything, because at the time every player in that box doesn’t see what happened.
“You don’t see anyone appealing for it, you don’t hear any reaction from the fans – it’s just like another throw-in.
“You see the referee put his finger to his ear and you are like ‘right, something is going on here, we just don’t know what’.
“After seeing it back after the game it’s hard to see how he has arrived at that decision in such a short amount of time. Was it, what, 20 seconds he was over there?
“It’s one of the biggest decisions in the season to make, and you have made it in 20 seconds? You think making it so quickly means it’s so obvious.
“There is an angle that has emerged recently from behind the goal that literally has the ball coming off the top of his head. So, it was even more upsetting after the game.”
Nafisa
