Celtic’s 3-1 win over Motherwell sparked plenty of debate after a key VAR intervention led to a decisive penalty — and now the BBC has revealed what was being discussed between the officials during the incident.
The Hoops were locked at 1-1 when the flashpoint occurred late in the match. As a corner was delivered into the box, Daizen Maeda tangled with Emmanuel Longelo at the back post.
Referee John Beaton initially waved away Celtic’s appeals and instead awarded Motherwell a free-kick. But the situation quickly changed when the VAR team stepped in.
VAR intervention changes the decision
Kevin Clancy, operating in the VAR room, advised Beaton to review the incident on the pitchside monitor.
After studying the replays, the referee overturned his original decision and awarded Celtic a penalty. Tomas Cvancara stepped up and converted from the spot to give the Hoops the lead.
Longelo was also shown a red card for the holding offence, leaving Motherwell down to ten men as Celtic went on to secure a 3-1 victory.
Debate among pundits during the incident
While the decision ultimately went Celtic’s way, it sparked immediate debate among commentators during the match.
Former Motherwell defender Stephen Craigan initially questioned whether the contact was enough to justify a penalty.
“I think he ducks down. It’s not the force of Longelo that puts him down, I think he does down himself and tries to head it in.
“It’s a big call. It doesn’t look like a penalty, but stranger things have happened.”
Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner offered another perspective, suggesting Longelo may have put himself in a difficult position.
“The problem is when you allow a player on the inside of you, you have got to see that. You have got to use your body and use your strength. Stephen could be right. Did he push him over?”
Insight into the VAR discussion
BBC commentator Liam McLeod then revealed what the officials were reviewing in real time.
“Right, I think it is the holding they are looking at. John Beaton is looking at the replays down below us.”
Craigan continued to analyse the decision as the replays were shown.
“The holding has to really impact his movement. Does it stop him getting off the ground? Players hold all the time, but if it impacts the player it will be a penalty.”
Post-match verdicts back the referee
After the match, former Motherwell manager Ian McCall said the replays supported the referee’s final call.
“We got to see three or four angles of it, but you only really need to see the first one of it.
“Longelo has just wrapped his arms around Maeda from behind him. He was just completely hauled to the ground, and I can’t believe the referee never saw it in real time.”
Former Celtic midfielder Peter Grant also backed the decision.
“That simply has to be a penalty. There’s no way they can’t give that.”
A turning point in the match
The VAR review proved to be the decisive moment in the game. Once Celtic took the lead from the spot and Motherwell were reduced to ten men, the momentum shifted firmly in the Hoops’ favour.
Despite the controversy, the decision ultimately stood — and Celtic walked away with all three points after a dramatic and heavily debated moment at Celtic Park.