Ex-refs Chief: VAR Got It Wrong as Aberdeen vs Motherwell Controversy Re-Analysed

In a fiery Scottish Cup clash at Pittodrie on February 18, 2026, Aberdeen defeated Motherwell 2-0 amid a storm of red cards and VAR disputes, with former referees' chief branding one key decision as outright wrong.[1][2][3]

The match erupted just two minutes in when Motherwell's Oscar Priestman slipped and collided with Aberdeen's Lyall Cameron racing toward goal. Referee John Beaton swiftly showed a red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO), despite protests that goalkeeper Matty Connelly was positioned to intercept.[3][5] Aberdeen capitalized quickly, with Kevin Nisbet scoring from the free kick to make it 1-0 within four minutes.[5]

Twenty minutes later, Aberdeen's Dennis Geiger was deservedly dismissed for a high studs challenge on Motherwell's Lukas Fadinger, leveling the sides at 10 men apiece.[2][5] The real controversy unfolded post-interval: Motherwell defender Liam Gordon slipped while tackling Aberdeen's Toyosi Olusanya in his own half, allowing the forward a run at goal. Beaton initially issued yellow, but after a lengthy VAR review using a distant "North Sea" camera angle, upgraded it to red for DOGSO—leaving Motherwell with nine men.[2][3][5]

Ex-referees' chief—cited in analysis—slammed the call: "The issuing of a red card to the Motherwell player is incorrect. The defender slipped, and the sanction is very harsh." Replays showed the ball heading to Connelly with teammates goalside, fueling claims of overreach.[2] Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou fumed, calling it a "mystery," while Aston Villa's John McGinn—brother of Motherwell captain Paul—mocked VAR on social media: "Scottish VAR is a mess," and sarcastically jabbed, "I’ve sent you to the screen, let’s send you to an angle from the North Sea to back it up."[2][3][4][5]

Aberdeen advanced to face Dunfermline in the quarter-finals on March 7, but the officiating overshadowed the victory, reigniting debates on Scottish VAR standards versus the Premier League.[2][5] Pundits and fans alike questioned Beaton's competence, with three reds in one game highlighting systemic issues.[3][5]

(Word count: 298)