It is 118 days since we played Motherwell at Fir Park last May, yet Celtic’s ‘controversial penalty’ is still in the news
The Media just cannot let go of the penalty incident at Fir Park last May...
Eric Knott 
MOTHERWELL, SCOTLAND - MAY 13: Motherwell's Sam Nicholson (centre) is penalised for a handball and Celtic are awarded a peanlty during a William Hill Premiership match between Motherwell and Celtic at Fir Park, on May 13, 2026, in Motherwell, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald/SNS Group via Getty Images)
It is 118 days since Celtic played Motherwell at Fir Park in the penultimate game of last season.
118 days since that ‘controversial’ penalty we were awarded for Elliot Watt’s handball in the Motherwell box.
It seems that it is a story that does not want to die.
In yesterday’s BBC Sport Scotland online coverage, they ran with a story on how Motherwell failed to get the £5,000 fine they received for their reaction to the incident reduced.
It’s funny that a fine of £5,000 euros for a football club is newsworthy.
Or is it a case that BBC Sport Scotland are just desperate to keep this story running, lest we Celtic fans forget?
Here is some of what they had to say in yesterday’s story:
Motherwell have been unsuccessful in an attempt to reduce a £5,000 fine for their reaction to a last-gasp penalty award to Celtic at Fir Park in May, but former player Elliot Watt’s suspension has been cut.
A Scottish FA appeal panel upheld the decision to punish the club for a social media post in the wake of referee John Beaton’s VAR-assisted decision for a handball against Sam Nicholson.
The message included the phrase “as the world of football mocks our game” and a video montage of the action from their 3-2 defeat.
Believe me, after last weekend in Paisley, the world should be mocking our game.
I covered the controversial disallowing of our second goal away to St. Mirren earlier today.
But you’ll note there was no outcry whatsoever regarding the decisions that went against us on Saturday night.
The media only gave it a cursory glance.
There’s no other clubs coming out in defence of Celtic, and there doesn’t seem to be any labelling of the decisions as ‘disgusting’ or saying that ‘the world is mocking our game’.
You see, if a decision goes against Celtic, nobody takes any notice of it.
But that penalty against Motherwell?
At the risk of repeating myself, 118 days have passed since that game, and we’re still reading about it.
The media just does not want to let go of it.
It’s like it is this bridge being used to constantly remind us of how Celtic were supposed to have been awarded a penalty unfairly, and that it ultimately cost Hearts the title.
Funnily enough, nothing has changed in our game since then.
Refereeing decisions that are baffling continue to happen with alarming frequency.
The BBC also had to remind us of what Derek McInnes had to say, again.
So, let’s see what Derek McInnes has to say at the weekend if Nick Walsh awards a ‘disgusting’ decision which benefits his side?
I bet you won’t hear him moaning if that happens.
But he’ll bring the hoose down if Celtic get any decisions that favour them.
And just imagine what he’ll be like if we beat him on his patch?
It will be a joy to see his greeting face at the end of it all…
Key Takeaways
- It’s been 118 days since Celtic’s controversial penalty against Motherwell, yet the media keeps revisiting the story.
- BBC Sport Scotland recently reported on Motherwell’s unsuccessful attempt to reduce their £5,000 fine, suggesting they want to keep the story alive.
- The article highlights a lack of media coverage for decisions going against Celtic, contrasting with the outrage over the penalty incident.
- Baffling refereeing decisions continue, but coverage tends to focus on Celtic’s alleged wrongdoings.
- Derek McInnes is criticized for selectively voicing complaints about refereeing decisions favourable to his side.
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