Honest Mistakes 2025/26 - Week Seven
The Martin caravan comes to a shuddering halt, but what of the big calls?
Fill your international week with the latest big calls reviewed by the Yorkshire Whistler.
05/10/25 Celtic vs Motherwell
Incident 1
Referee: Callum Scott
Game Minute: 26th
Score At Time: 0-0
Incident: Charles-Cook blocks McGregor shot
Outcome: Penalty to Celtic
Evidence: Celtic 3-2 Motherwell | HIGHLIGHTS | William Hill Premiership
At 0:26
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:
Charles-Cook blocks McGregor shot
IOD: Penalty awarded to Celtic for handball
A ball is cleared to edge of area and McGregor hits a first time volley that is charged down by the Motherwell defender. Upon replay it appears that the defender jumps into the air whilst also spinning his body round, which causes his arm to extend outwards which the ball hits.
The body shape is slightly made unnaturally larger as a result of this spinning motion and so I can support why the handball offence is given.
Verdict: CORRECT decision.
Expected Points Outcome: No impact
05/10/25 Celtic vs Motherwell
Incident 2
Referee: Callum Scott
Game Minute: 45th
Score At Time: 1-1
Incident: Maswanhise goes down in the box
Outcome: No decision
Evidence: Provided
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:
Maswanhise goes down in the box
IOD: No decision
The Motherwell forward launches a counter attack and as he enters the box goes past two Celtic players who are on his heels. he goes down. In both real time, and in slow motion it’s difficult to see any contact initiated by the defender and it looks like he loses his balance/trips on his own feet. I can’t see any attempt to make a challenge by the Celtic man and so am confident no offence is committed.
Verdict: CORRECT decision.
Expected Points Outcome: No impact
05/10/25 Celtic vs Motherwell
Incident 3
Referee: Callum Scott
Game Minute: 53rd
Score At Time: 1-1
Incident: Maswanhise goes down in the box
Outcome: Penalty to Celtic
Evidence: Celtic 3-2 Motherwell | HIGHLIGHTS | William Hill Premiership
At 3:04
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict:
Maswanhise goes down in the box
IOD: Penalty to Motherwell
As a low cross is played into the box, Masawanhise’s first touch sees him play the ball away from the oncoming challenge from the defender who doesn’t make any contact with the ball. In real time it doesn’t appear that any real contact is made on the attacker who takes another step forward before being off balance and hitting the deck. Indeed, his reaction is almost apologetic and he doesn’t appear to be asking for a foul.
Upon replay, the defenders left foot making minor contact with the attackers right boot and this adjudged to have been worthy of an onfield review.
Due to the contact seen on the replay potentially playing a part in Masawanhise becoming off balance, I cannot say this was categorically a wrong call, but it does appear a soft decision. Certainly without VAR that kind of minimal contact is very unlikely to be identified or penalised in real time.
Verdict: CORRECT decision.
Expected Points Outcome: No impact
Summary
My thanks, as always, to the Yorkshire Whistler.
If Steven Gerrard returns as manager (or is it Head Coach?) at The Rangers, will he bring Crawford Allan back him?
We should be told.
The Rangers have been estimated to have been hampered by 1.45 expected points this far.
Celtic leads by nine points after seven games.