John Beaton is under fire after failing to award a clear Celtic penalty in real-time during the 3-1 win over Motherwell.
Despite a clear view of Emmanuel Longelo hauling down Daizen Maeda, Beaton initially signaled for a goal kick, requiring a VAR intervention to correct the error.
This hesitation has sparked fresh criticism from former officials, who question whether senior SFA referees are becoming overly dependent on technology for “stonewall” decisions, a pattern that has haunted Beaton’s officiating in Celtic fixtures for years.
The decision to award Celtic a penalty against The Steelmen should have been pretty straightforward considering Beaton’s view of the incident.
However, it took VAR to intervene to get to the right decision to award the spot kick and send off Longelo, but after watching the challenge back, The Ref’s View have questioned Beaton’s role in the penalty and red card award.
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John Beaton and ‘senior officials’ from the SFA questioned after Celtic penalty call
The Ref’s View is made up of a former refereeing duo of Des Roache and Steve Conroy and their social media account took to X to criticise Beaton.
The account said, “It is a clear DOGSO. In the current climate, it is a red [card]
However, does this show that even our most senior officials are now waiting for VAR approval?”
Celtic fans have also been questioning why Beaton didn’t automatically call the penalty instead of awarding Motherwell a goal kick after the ball went out of play.
If referees are scared to give decisions for fear of criticism, then this does not bode well for one of the tightest title run-ins in years.
Celtic, John Beaton and VAR
Celtic have had numerous controversies involving John Beaton and VAR over the years, and this season that has continued.
The SFA whistler was in charge of VAR in Celtic’s draw at Hearts earlier this season where Beaton advised a red card for defender Auston Trusty.
He was also on video referee duty in the season Tomoki Iwata was penalised for a very dubious handball penalty and Hyunjun Yang was ordered off for a high boot challenge two years ago.
Beaton also failed to red card Alfredo Morelos in 2018 for a stamp on Anthony Ralston, a kick out at Scott Brown and a ‘grab’ on Ryan Christie’s groin all in the same game.
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