Motherwell midfielder Elliot Watt was handed an immediate four-match ban after admitting charges relating to post-match comments following May’s defeat to Celtic.
On X, Watt, 26, called the penalty award “the worst VAR decision ever”.
Kelechi Iheanacho converted after Sam Nicholson was ruled out as the eventual Scottish Premier League winners cruised to a 3–2 win at Fir Park on 13 May.
Watt, who opened the scoring against Celtic, was charged with breaching Scottish Football Association disciplinary rule 72, which states that players must not “criticize” decisions of officials or make comments that “attack” the reputation of a referee.
Motherwell were charged with the same offense and fined £5,000 for a post they made after the game which read: “With the football world making a mockery of our game, we just need to draw a line in the sand and shift our focus.”
In a statement, Motherwell responded to the fine: “The club is extremely disappointed with the outcome of today’s hearing into the Scottish Football Association’s Notice of Complaint received by the club.
“The complaint notice related to a social media post and related video that was posted after our last home game of the 2025/26 season.
“The club has requested written reasons for this decision and we will liaise with our external lawyers regarding any further steps following this.”
SFA head of refereeing Willie Collum said in his regular review of key incidents that awarding the penalty was the right decision.
Then-Hearts head coach Derek McInnes, whose side won the title on the final day, also described the decision as “disgusting”. Hearings in his case will take place on July 22.
In the final game of last season, a 1-0 win over Motherwell at Hibernian, Watt was sent off after receiving two bookings and will therefore be suspended for five home games.
However, Watt will be available for Motherwell’s upcoming Conference League fixtures, with Alfred Johansson’s side facing Faroese side Havnar Boltfelag in the second qualifying round on July 23 and 30.
The midfielder, who was selected in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year last season, has been the subject of transfer interest from Turkish club Samsunspor.