Rabiu SalihuScottish FA Responds to Keith Hackett’s Verdict on Controversial Chermiti Penalty IncidentIn the wake of a heated Scottish Premiership clash between Motherwell and Rangers that ended in a 1-1 draw at Fir Park on February 11, 2026, the Scottish Football Association (SFA) has issued a statement addressing former referee Keith Hackett’s scathing assessment of a key match incident. The controversy centers on a challenge inside the Motherwell penalty area involving Rangers forward Youssef Chermiti and defenders Paul McGinn and Elliott Watt, which Hackett labeled an “obvious penalty.”
The match saw Rangers take the lead through midfielder Nico Raskin, only for Motherwell—reduced to 10 men after Lukas Fadinger’s red card for a foul on Mikey Moore—to equalize late via an on-loan Celtic defender Stephen Welsh. However, the talking point emerged just before halftime when Chermiti went down under pressure from Watt and McGinn. Referee Steven McLean waved away appeals for a spot-kick, and VAR official John Beaton did not intervene, allowing play to continue.
Hackett, a former PGMOL chief and respected ex-FIFA referee, didn’t mince words in his post-match analysis. Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, he described Watt’s challenge as “really clumsy” and a “careless foul” that warranted a penalty. “If referees are going to turn a blind eye to these challenges and make no decision, they will continue to increase,” Hackett stated. “Award a penalty kick for what is clearly a careless challenge.” His comments echoed frustrations from Rangers fans and players, who felt the decision could have altered the game’s outcome, potentially securing three points in a tightly contested title race.
Responding swiftly on February 12, the SFA released an official statement defending the on-field officials while acknowledging the debate. “The Scottish FA respects the opinions of former officials like Keith Hackett, whose experience contributes to the ongoing dialogue about refereeing standards,” the statement read. “However, after reviewing the incident involving Youssef Chermiti, we support referee Steven McLean’s real-time decision to play on. The contact was deemed minimal and not sufficient to warrant a penalty under IFAB guidelines. VAR protocols were followed correctly, with no clear and obvious error identified.”
The SFA emphasized their commitment to transparency, noting that the Key Match Incident (KMI) panel would review the call as part of standard procedures. “We continue to invest in referee training and technology to minimize errors, but football remains a game of human judgment,” they added. This isn’t the first time Hackett has weighed in on Scottish officiating; he previously highlighted issues with pyrotechnics and other contentious calls in Rangers matches.
Rangers manager Philippe Clement expressed disappointment post-match, hinting at the incident’s impact: “It’s frustrating when clear fouls go unpunished, especially in key moments.” Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell, meanwhile, praised his team’s resilience, crediting Welsh’s header for salvaging a vital point.
The draw leaves Rangers chasing league leaders Celtic, amplifying calls for improved VAR consistency. As debates rage on social media and forums, the SFA’s statement aims to quell the storm, but with Hackett’s verdict fueling the fire, expect more scrutiny on Scottish refereeing in upcoming fixtures.
