Chris Sutton calls out mainstream pundits for ‘way over the top’ reaction to Celtic penalty

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Chris Sutton has criticised the reaction of “high profile” pundits to Celtic’s penalty call against Motherwell.

The decision has gained global attention due to its significance to the Scottish Premiership title race, as Celtic’s winner kept them alive.

Hearts — backed by many neutrals — thought they were in pole position to clinch the trophy, but VAR’s decision to intervene and penalise Sam Nicholson’s handball tipped the balance back into the Hoops’ favour.

Pundits everywhere are incensed at the perceived injustice, but Sutton has set the record straight.

Chris Sutton: Celtic penalty reaction ‘way over the top’

Writing on X, Celtic hero Sutton, who was at the game working as a pundit, wrote: “Now the dust has settled…

“The reaction from many high profile people is way over the top.

READ MORE: Ryan Stevenson livid as Celtic penalty call vs Motherwell devastates Hearts

“John Beaton was advised to go to the monitor and saw that the ball hit the arm in an unnatural position.

“Bottom line is people would hate to see Celtic win the title again and that is all.”

The handball was ruled punishable due to “touch[ing] the ball with their hand/arm when it has made their body unnaturally bigger. “

As per the rules “A player is considered to have made their body unnaturally bigger when the position of their hand/arm is not a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation.

“By having their hand/arm in such a position, the player takes a risk of their hand/arm being hit by the ball and being penalised.”

Additionally, despite talk of the call being ruled as a “clear and obvious error”, referees are also sent to the monitor in the case of a “serious missed incident” relating to the penalty.

Amid all the noise, a few key facts are being missed. People’s preference for Hearts to win the title is clouding their judgement.