Scottish football's governing bodies have found themselves at the centre of controversy as the season draws to a close, with the SPFL confirming investigations into five fixtures and the SFA's key match incident panel casting doubt over one of the most pivotal decisions of the Premiership run-in.

The Penalty That Split Opinion

The incident at the heart of the KMI panel's verdict came on 13 May at Fir Park, when referee John Beaton pointed to the spot after reviewing a VAR intervention that flagged a handball against Motherwell's Sam Nicholson. Nicholson had leapt alongside Celtic's Auston Trusty when contact was made, and after Beaton consulted the monitor, a penalty was awarded. Kelechi Iheanacho converted deep into stoppage time, securing a 3-2 win that kept Celtic within a point of Hearts at the top of the Premiership table.

The KMI panel, reviewing the decision after the fact, concluded by a majority of two to one that the call was wrong. Two of the three panel members felt VAR should not have intervened and that the penalty was incorrectly awarded following the on-field review. The lone dissenting voice believed the intervention was justified and a spot-kick should have been given. It is a split verdict, but one that will sting for Motherwell and raise fresh questions about VAR's application of handball laws in Scotland.

Pitch Invasions Prompt Formal Investigations

Separate to the VAR dispute, the SPFL has launched disciplinary proceedings against clubs involved in five matches where unacceptable conduct is alleged to have taken place. Celtic feature in two of those cases — the Motherwell fixture and their home match against Hearts on 16 May, when supporters entered the pitch after Celtic won 3-1 to go two points clear at the top heading into the final weekend.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has addressed claims, made by Hearts shareholder Tony Bloom, that visiting players were assaulted during that pitch incursion. O'Neill said such allegations have not been proved, though he added that should any evidence emerge, apologies would be appropriate. Police Scotland are continuing to investigate whether criminal offences were committed.

The other three matches under investigation are Inverness Caledonian Thistle's League One meeting with Hamilton Academical on 2 May — a game that clinched the title and promotion for Inverness — Hamilton's League One play-off second leg against Clyde at Broadwood on 15 May, and Stenhousemuir's Championship play-off second leg against Alloa Athletic on 16 May. In each case, spectators entered the field of play following significant moments in the match.

The Rules in Question

The investigations are being conducted under SPFL Rules H36 and H37. In broad terms, H36 places responsibility on the home club to ensure good order and security at its ground, while H37 requires every club to take reasonable steps to prevent unacceptable conduct from its players, officials and supporters and to identify and discipline any fans who do misbehave.

The SPFL noted that across the 2025-26 season it had already concluded 11 disciplinary processes against eight clubs for similar incidents — covering thrown objects, pyrotechnic displays and pitch invasions — before these final-day cases are even factored in. It said there is a continuing need for all parties to work together to address what it called the challenges of unacceptable conduct, and confirmed it has engaged with the Scottish Government's consultation on football banning orders.

With Celtic crowned champions despite the swirling controversy, the summer will now bring a reckoning on several fronts: what, if any, sanctions clubs face for the scenes at the end of the season, and whether the KMI panel's verdict on the Motherwell penalty prompts any wider review of how VAR handles handball decisions north of the border.

Frequently asked

What did the KMI panel say about the Celtic penalty against Motherwell?
The SFA's key match incident panel ruled by two votes to one that the penalty awarded against Motherwell on 13 May was incorrect. The majority felt VAR should not have intervened and that the handball call was wrong after the on-field review by referee John Beaton.
Which games are the SPFL investigating for pitch invasions?
The SPFL has confirmed investigations into five fixtures: Celtic v Hearts (16 May), Celtic v Motherwell (13 May), Inverness v Hamilton in League One (2 May), Hamilton v Clyde in the League One play-off (15 May), and Stenhousemuir v Alloa Athletic in the Championship play-off (16 May).
What are SPFL rules H36 and H37?
H36 requires home clubs to ensure good order and security at their ground. H37 places a duty on all clubs to prevent unacceptable conduct by players, officials and supporters, and to identify and take proportionate action against any fans who do misbehave.