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Sam Nicholson handball penalty sparks VAR debate in Scottish title race
Kelechi Iheanacho scored the decisive spot kick after VAR Andrew Dallas sent John Beaton to the monitor, intensifying scrutiny of Scottish football’s handball guidance.
- On Wednesday at Fir Park, Referee John Beaton awarded Celtic a 99th-minute penalty after VAR Andrew Dallas sent him to the monitor, with Kelechi Iheanacho converting the spot kick for a 3-2 win that moved Celtic within one point of Hearts ahead of Saturday's title decider at Parkhead.
- Footage from Alamy showed Motherwell's Sam Nicholson's arm raised above shoulder height as he challenged Celtic defender Auston Trusty for Anthony Ralston's long throw; Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou argued the contact pushed Nicholson's arm into an unnatural position.
- Former referee Bobby Madden told BBC Radio Scotland the penalty violated VAR protocol, arguing 'no matter if it hits his hand or not, it should NOT be a penalty kick,' while former ref Steve Conroy agreed the ball showed 'absolutely no deviation' in its path.
- Hearts boss Derek McInnes branded the penalty 'disgusting' after Hearts were denied a spot kick in their own 1-1 draw at Motherwell days earlier, though Celtic boss Martin O'Neill insisted the call was 'pretty clear cut.'
- Referee Beaton required police protection Thursday after personal details were leaked online, with the SFA saying Friday this was the 'inevitable consequence' of mounting criticism at match officials; critic Mark Donaldson blamed Scotland's 'budget VAR' technology, comparing it to 'Fisher-Price toys' and citing inconsistent handball decisions.
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14 Articles
14 Articles
Bozeman Daily Chronicle+4 Reposted by 4 other sources
Referee under police surveillance after handball call rocks Scottish soccer title race
A referee has required police surveillance after a controversial call which impacted the Scottish soccer title race. The Scottish Football Association says the police intervention is the “inevitable consequence of the heightening criticism, intolerance and scapegoating” aimed at referees. Beaton…
·Cherokee County, United States
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Sam Nicholson handball penalty sparks VAR debate in Scottish title race
The last-gasp Sam Nicholson handball penalty awarded against Motherwell has sparked a national debate over VAR, with Hearts' Scottish Premiership title hopes now hanging in the balance ahead of their Celtic Park showdown
·Belfast, United Kingdom
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The Herald ScotlandReposted by 
Glasgow Times
Glasgow TimesEx-ref calls on SFA to comment after Celtic penalty impacts title race with Hearts
Former referee Madden reckons Motherwell were wrongly penalised when VAR intervened on the award of aspot kick for handball against Nicholson.
·Scotland, United Kingdom
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Total News Sources14
Leaning Left2Leaning Right3Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution55% Center
Bias Distribution
- 55% of the sources are Center
55% Center
L 18%
C 55%
R 27%
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