The release of the VAR audio from Celtic’s dramatic win over Motherwell offers fresh insight into one of the most talked-about moments of the Premiership season.

The incident saw referee John Beaton initially wave play on before awarding Celtic a late penalty following a VAR review led by Andrew Dallas and assistant VAR Sean Carr.

13h May 2026; Fir Park, Motherwell, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Motherwell versus Celtic; Callum McGregor of Celtic speaks to referee John Beaton as he is instructed by VAR to go to the monitor

The decision sparked huge debate at the time and was later examined by the SFA’s Key Match Incident panel. However, the newly released audio provides a clearer picture of what the officials believed they were seeing in real time.

One thing that stands out immediately is the certainty inside the VAR room.

After checking multiple angles, both Dallas and Carr quickly reached the view that the ball had made contact with a hand that was in what they considered an unnatural position.

Dallas can be heard saying “Definitely hits a hand”, before adding that the arm was “above shoulder height”. Carr agreed with that assessment.

The audio also reveals communication issues between the match officials, with Beaton temporarily unable to hear the VAR team during the review process.

VAR: You’ve got 10 seconds left in broadcast, remember. Let me clear this.

Referee: The comms have went. I can’t hear what he’s saying.

Assistant Referee (unidentified): Clash of heads, clash of heads between the two of them.

Referee: Wait the now, wait till I see if they’re OK, wait till I see if they’re OK.

I know, but I’m waiting to see if they’re OK. Are they OK? Are you OK? Big man, are you alright?

Andy, are we good here?

VAR: Slow down, slow down.

Delay now, John, delay. John, delay. Delay.

Assistant Referee: He’s asking for a delay, from what I hear.

He’s asking for a delay.

VAR: What I’m seeing here, tell me more about what you’re seeing.

Assistant VAR: Is it a potential hand that’s hit it, or is it?

VAR: Yep.

Replay Operator: I’ll see if there’s another angle.

Assistant VAR: His hand is up in an unnatural position.

Replay Operator: So, I’ve got contact here.

VAR: Definitely hits a hand.

Assistant VAR: Yep.

VAR: Do you agree? The arm’s in an unnatural position. Arm is up, above shoulder height.

Assistant VAR: Agreed.

VAR: Ball comes from a throw-in. For me, it’s a penalty kick on an on-field review. Do you agree?

Assistant VAR: Aye.

VAR: John? Let me see. Aye, it comes straight from the throw-in. Let me see the throw-in. John, it’s Andrew. John.

Assistant VAR: John, it’s Sean. Can you hear me here?

Referee: Yes, I can.

Assistant VAR: John, we’re recommending an on-field review for a potential handball penalty kick. Please make a signal to the screen.

VAR: John, John, you got me? I’m on Sean’s comms. You hear me?

Referee: I’ve got you now, mate.

VAR: Right, I’m going to show you in a loop, John. Ball comes from the throw-in. Motherwell player jumps, his arm is above shoulder height.

Referee: OK. And it definitely hits the arm?

VAR: Definitely hits the arm. We’ll pause it on point of contact.

Referee: OK, penalty kick. I’m awarding a penalty kick, no sanction.

VAR: Confirmed.

Referee: Confirmed. OK.


The recording from Sky Sports shows that the recommendation for an on-field review was based on two key points.

Firstly, the VAR team believed there was clear contact with the arm. Secondly, they believed the arm position met the threshold for a handball offence.

When Beaton eventually regained communication with the VAR team, he was shown the incident from multiple angles and sought confirmation that contact had indeed been made with the arm.

After receiving that confirmation from Dallas, the referee immediately awarded a penalty kick without issuing any disciplinary sanction.

While debate around the decision is unlikely to disappear, the audio demonstrates that the officials involved were aligned in their interpretation of the incident.

13h May 2026; Fir Park, Motherwell, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Motherwell versus Celtic; Referee John Beaton awards Celtic a penalty after a VAR check

There is no uncertainty in the conversations once the footage is reviewed. Dallas, Carr and ultimately Beaton all reach the same conclusion that the handball offence had occurred.

The release therefore provides a detailed look at how the decision was reached, even if opinions among supporters will remain divided long after the final whistle at Fir Park.