Overview
- On May 13 a stoppage‑time VAR intervention led referee John Beaton to award Celtic a penalty for a Sam Nicholson handball that Kelechi Iheanacho converted and that altered the title race.
- The SFA Key Match Incident panel ruled by majority on May 22 that the VAR‑led penalty should not have been awarded and that the on‑field 'play on' decision should have stood, but the panel cannot change match results.
- On May 29 Willie Collum, the SFA head of refereeing, released VAR audio and still images and said the visuals provided 'clear evidence' to support Beaton and VAR operator Andrew Dallas.
- Collum also said he personally believes referee Steven McLean should have awarded Hearts a separate penalty at Fir Park, acknowledging an earlier missed decision that disadvantaged Hearts.
- SPFL disciplinary procedures and a Police Scotland inquiry remain active, and the controversy has focused attention on VAR protocols, camera angles and referee safety as clubs and fans press for change.