Celtic of Scotland attacker, Kelechi Iheanacho is in the news under controversial circumstances, as his last-minute penalty kick against Motherwell has bren hit with critical comments, Sports247 reports.
Although Iheanacho’s spot kick helped keep his team in contention for the Scottish Premiership title, The Bhoys’ major rivals, Hearts have complained about it, asking why Video Assistant Referee (VAR) awarded the 99th minute penalty.
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League officials pointed out that VAR awarded the kick for a handball by a defender in Motherwell’s box, but Hearts are crying foul, after Iheanacho scored with the final kick of the game and resulted in jubilant away fans invading the pitch.
Iheanacho’s delight translates into agony for Hearts, who have been top of the table since September, as they pursue a first title in 66 years and the first by any team outside of Celtic or Rangers in 41 years.
Hearts had wrapped up a 3-0 win over Falkirk and appeared to be one step from a first title in 66 years, with Celtic drawing 2-2 at Motherwell, but the referee, John Beaton was sent to the monitor by VAR after an incident from a long throw-in.
Celtic defender Auston Trusty went down claiming he had been caught by an elbow and Beaton overlooked it, but VAR deemed it a handball instead against Motherwell in their box.
Derek McInnes’ side are aiming to become the first non-Glasgow team to get over the line and lift the trophy since Sir Alex Ferguson achieved it with Aberdeen in 1985, but the title will now be decided on the final day of the season.
That’s because Iheanacho’s team and their fiercest rivals this season are separated by just a single point before they meet at Celtic Park on Saturday, ahead of which McInnes branded the penalty decision ‘disgusting.’
It means that Celtic will win the title on Saturday if they beat visiting Hearts, who only need a draw, due to their one-point lead atop the table, but McInnes saw a replay of the incident before his post-match interview and he was furious.
He told Sky Sports, “I think it’s disgusting. I don’t think it’s a penalty kick. There were two more shouts for a penalty kick at our game at Motherwell. If I’m Motherwell I’m really disappointed with that having seen it again.
“I think it’s so poor that they’ve been given that penalty. They’ve been very fortunate on that side of it and we have to realise we’re up against everything. We need to just go and deal with the game on Saturday.”
England ex-international striker, Gary Lineker apparently agreed with Hearts’ coach, as he tweeted: “This might be the worst VAR decision I’ve seen. Extraordinary given the significance.”
