SPFL probe Celtic games as panel disputes penalty

Image source, SNS

• Published22 May 2026, 13:39 BST

Two Celtic games are among five being investigated by the SPFL while the Scottish FA's key match incident panel suggests the Premiership champions should not have had a penalty against Motherwell.

Spectators entered the pitch following late goals at Motherwell on 13 May and at home to Hearts on 16 May as Celtic won their final two league fixtures of the season to retain the title.

In the former, a handball was given against Sam Nicholson when he leapt with Celtic's Auston Trusty, referee John Beaton pointing to the spot following a VAR review.

Kelechi Iheanacho converted deep into added time to give Celtic a 3-2 win, which kept them within a point of then leaders Hearts.

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The KMI panel deemed the decision incorrect by a majority of two to one.

"Two panel members felt VAR was incorrect to intervene and the penalty was incorrectly awarded for handball after [on-field review]," the KMI panel said in their latest update, external.

"One panel member felt that VAR was correct to intervene and a penalty should have been awarded."

On the Hearts game, which the hosts won 3-1 to move two points above their visitors on the final weekend of the Premiership season, Celtic manager Martin O'Neill says any allegation that visiting players were assaulted amid the pitch invasion "has not been proved".

Shareholder Tony Bloom claimed on Wednesday Hearts players were assaulted by Celtic supporters as they ran on the field.

Police Scotland are investigating whether there was any criminality involved, and O'Neill says if proof emerges then "apologies are due".

The SPFL's disciplinary investigations also include conduct at Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Hamilton Academical in League 1 on 2 May, Hamilton's League 1 play-off second-leg win against Clyde at Broadwood on 15 May and Stenhousemuir's Championship play-off second-leg defeat by Alloa Athletic on 16 May.

Hamilton and Stenny both won their ties on aggregate and there were spectators on the pitch following both games, as there was after Inverness beat visitors Hamilton. That game took place on the final weekend of regular season League 1 fixtures, with Inverness clinching the title and promotion to the Championship.

"In recent seasons, there have been a number of incidents at SPFL matches where objects have been thrown at players or members of staff, orchestrated pyrotechnic displays have taken place, and/or mass pitch incursions have occurred," the SPFL said in a statement.

"In season 2025-26 the SPFL concluded 11 disciplinary processes against eight clubs for such incidents.

"These statistics do not include the final match days of the season and the SPFL can confirm that the [matches being investigated] are being investigated under SPFL Rules H36 and H37.

"In addition to these disciplinary processes, there is a continuing need for all stakeholders to work together to address the challenges of unacceptable conduct at matches, including pitch encroachments and pyrotechnic use.

"The SPFL has engaged fully in the Scottish government's consultation on football banning orders and awaits the next steps in that process."

What are SPFL rules H36 and H37?

The SPFL say "Rules H36 and H37 states:

"H36 The home club in any official batch must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, H36.1 good order and security; H36.2 that policies and procedures have been adopted and are implemented to prevent incidents of unacceptable conduct; and H36.3 that any incidents of unacceptable conduct are effectively dealt with, all at its stadium on the occasion of an official match.

"H37 Each Club must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that: H37.1 its Players, officials, supporters and any person exercising a function for or connected with the club do not engage in unacceptable conduct at a stadium on the occasion of an official match; H37.2 it identifies any of its supporters who engage in unacceptable conduct at an official match; and H37.3 it takes proportionate disciplinary measures in respect of supporters so identified in terms of Rule H37.2."

Related topics

• Stenhousemuir
• Scottish Premiership
• Scottish League One
• Hamilton Academical
• Clyde
• Motherwell
• Celtic
• Heart of Midlothian
• Football
• Alloa Athletic
• Scottish Football
• Inverness Caledonian Thistle
• Scottish Championship

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