Motherwell midfielder Elliot Watt has been handed an immediate four-game suspension after admitting charges over comments he made following May’s defeat by Celtic.
On X, the 26-year-old called the late penalty “the worst VAR decision in history”.
Kelechi Iheanacho scored from the spot after Sam Nicholson was judged to have handled, sealing a 3-2 win for the eventual Scottish Premiership champions at Fir Park on 13 May.
Watt, who had earlier opened the scoring, was cited under Scottish FA disciplinary rule 72, which bars players from criticising officials’ decisions or making remarks that impugn a referee’s character.
Motherwell were charged with the same breach and fined £5,000 after posting a social media video accompanied by the caption: “As the world of football mocks our game, we simply have to draw a line in the sand and shift the focus.”
“The club are extremely disappointed at the outcome of today’s hearing,” Motherwell said, adding that they have requested the written reasons and will consult external solicitors on any next steps.
SFA head of refereeing Willie Collum later concluded in his review of key incidents that the penalty award was correct.
Then-Hearts head coach Derek McInnes, who called the decision “disgusting,” has also been cited, with a hearing set for 22 July.
In Motherwell’s final match of last season, a 1-0 win at Hibernian, Watt was sent off for two bookable offences and is therefore set to serve a five-game domestic ban.
He will, however, be available for Motherwell’s upcoming Conference League qualifiers against Faroese side Havnar Boltfelag on 23 and 30 July.
Watt, selected in last season’s PFA Scotland Premiership Team of the Year, has also attracted reported interest from Turkish club Samsunspor.