Elliot Watt has been hit with an immediate four-match suspension by the Scottish FA after the Motherwell midfielder admitted charges relating to his controversial post-match comments following May's defeat by Celtic.
The 26-year-old described the late penalty awarded to Celtic at Fir Park on 13 May as "the worst VAR decision in history" on social media platform X. Kelechi Iheanacho converted the spot-kick after Sam Nicholson was penalised for handball, sealing a 3-2 win for the eventual Scottish Premiership champions.
Watt, who had opened the scoring for Motherwell, was charged with breaching disciplinary rule 72, which prohibits players from criticising match officials or making comments that "impinge" on a referee's character. He admitted the charge, leading to the four-game domestic ban.
Motherwell were also charged over a club post that read: "As the world of football mocks our game, we simply have to draw a line in the sand and shift the focus." The Lanarkshire club have been fined £5,000.
Collum's review and McInnes citation
SFA head of refereeing Willie Collum later reviewed the incident and insisted the penalty award was correct. Meanwhile, then-Hearts head coach Derek McInnes – whose side missed out on the title on the final day – faces his own hearing on 22 July after describing the decision as "disgusting".
Domestic ban extended
Watt was sent off for two bookable offences in Motherwell's final game of last season, a 1-0 win at Hibernian, meaning he will miss a total of five domestic matches. However, the ban does not apply to European competition, so he will be available for Motherwell's Conference League second qualifying round ties against Faroese side Havnar Boltfelag on 23 and 30 July.
The midfielder, who was voted into the PFA Scotland Premiership Team of the Year, has been the subject of reported transfer interest from Turkish club Samsunspor.
Source: BBC Sport
