Ofcom may have cleared Sky Sports over complaints about its coverage of a controversial Celtic penalty against Motherwell, but that does not mean supporters were wrong to raise concerns in the first place.
When three pundits unanimously dismiss the Celtic penalty decision on live television, fans are entitled to question whether viewers are getting a fair reflection of the incident.
That was exactly what happened when Kris Boyd, Paul Hartley and John Robertson reacted to a crucial Celtic penalty during last season’s title run-in.
The regulator has now delivered its verdict. However, many Celtic supporters will note that Ofcom reached its decision despite Willie Collum and the SFA’s refereeing department having already backed the penalty award.
Should Derek McInnes face punishment for his response to Celtic’s penalty call against Motherwell?
Why Celtic fans felt justified in questioning the coverage
The reaction in the Sky Sports studio left little room for debate.
- Kris Boyd described the award as “another dubious call” in Celtic’s favour.
- Paul Hartley said Celtic had “got lucky”.
- The panel collectively argued the ball had not struck the defender’s hand in a punishable manner.
- The discussion created the impression that the decision was clearly incorrect.
That is why supporters took issue with the coverage.
Before Ofcom delivered its ruling, Willie Collum and the SFA’s refereeing department had already supported the award of Celtic’s penalty.
That does not prove broadcaster bias. It does, however, explain why Celtic fans felt the discussion lacked balance.
What Ofcom ultimately decided about Sky Sports Celtic penalty coverage
Ofcom’s role was not to determine whether the penalty was correct. It was asked to decide whether Sky Sports had breached broadcasting standards.
After reviewing the complaints, the regulator found:
- Nine viewers submitted complaints.
- The complaints alleged anti-Celtic bias.
- Ofcom reviewed the broadcast and the comments made by the pundits.
- No issues were identified that warranted a formal Broadcasting Code investigation.
- No action was taken against Sky Sports.
That distinction is crucial.
Ofcom was judging the broadcast, not the refereeing decision itself. The regulator concluded the pundits were entitled to express their opinions, even if those opinions were later undermined by the SFA’s interpretation of the incident.
Ofcom was never tasked with deciding whether the penalty was correct. It was asked whether Sky Sports breached broadcasting standards. Those are separate questions. Yet Celtic supporters can still point to the fact that, before Ofcom delivered its ruling, Willie Collum had already backed the decision that the Sky Sports panel dismissed so confidently.
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