SPFL Probe into Celtic Matches Raises Fresh Questions Over Penalty Controversy
SPFL Probe into Celtic Matches Raises Fresh Questions Over Penalty Controversy The title is won, the champagne is flat – and now the paperwork begins. Two of Celtic’s most dramatic moments in a historic run-in are under formal SPFL investigation, and Scottish football’s VAR question hasn’t gone away. The SPFL has confirmed it is investigating five matches for conduct violations, with two Celtic games – the 3-2 win at Fir Park on 13 May and the 3-1 defeat to Hearts at Paradise on 16 May – included in that group following pitch invasions after late goals.
The investigations run under SPFL Rules H36 and H37, covering spectator behaviour, unacceptable conduct and field-of-play incursions. Alongside those, the Scottish FA’s Key Match Incidents panel has delivered what amounts to a formal rebuke of the VAR call that awarded Celtic a penalty against Motherwell deep into added time – ruling, by a majority of two to one, that the decision should never have been given. It is worth noting – and we have to be honest about this – that the KMI panel’s ruling does not alter the result, does not strip any points, and does not affect Celtic’s title.
The Hoops are champions. But the findings do matter, and here’s why. What the Probe Actually Covers The SPFL’s disciplinary investigations are not about the penalty decision itself – that sits with the SFA and the KMI panel separately.
The SPFL probe is focused squarely on supporter behaviour , specifically the pitch invasions that followed Kelechi Iheanacho’s last-gasp winner at Motherwell and the scenes at Paradise after the Hearts match on the final weekend of the season. Rules H36 and H37 place the responsibility firmly on clubs. “The home club in any official match must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, good order and security… that any incidents of unacceptable conduct are effectively dealt with,” the SPFL confirmed, quoting the relevant rules in full.
Sanctions under these rules can range from fines to partial ground closures – and the SPFL has already concluded 11 disciplinary processes against eight clubs this season alone for similar incidents, before accounting for the end-of-season flashpoints now under review. There are also separate allegations – made by Hearts shareholder Tony Bloom – that visiting players were assaulted during the Celtic Park pitch invasion. Martin O’Neill was not hiding how he felt about those claims, stating flatly that the allegation “has not been proved” and adding that if evidence does surface, “apologies are due.
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