MOTHERWELL, SCOTLAND - MAY 13: Referee John Beaton consults with VAR before awarding Celtic a penalty during a William Hill Premiership match between Motherwell and Celtic at Fir Park, on May 13, 2026, in Motherwell, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
John Beaton’s trip to the World Cup Finals was ambushed by joyful Celtic fans in Boston.
Naturally FIFA overlooked the Lanarkshire based official and his colleagues for the 104 matches long tournament.
Beaton travelled to Boston with his close friends Andrew Dallas and Steven McLean for Scotland’s opening match against Haiti.
Rather than keep things low key the man from the Crown Bar in Bellshill was out on the lash, boozing in the sunshine.
The opportunity was too good for some Celtic fans to resist as they asked Beaton to pose for pictures.
As the camera shutter came down the hands came up to the forehead in the classic Sam Nicholson position.
Clearly the worst for wear Beaton had no idea that he was being mocked by the supporters that he detests more than anything.
— Mon the Hoops??? (@CWN1967) June 13, 2026
Beaton was involved in three penalty incidents involving Celtic in the run-in to the SPFL Premiership title.
Naturally he ‘missed’ all three on the pitch that had to be corrected through VAR.
BEATON- A CERTAIN PATTERN TO CELTIC PENALTY CLAIMS
At Ibrox on March 1 he missed the handball clearance by Dujon Sterling from a Daizen Maeda header. Following a lengthy check he reluctantly gave a penalty. Reo Hatate scored.
On March 14 Manny Longelo of Motherwell wiped out Daizen Maeda as he prepared to score at the back post. Again Beaton ‘missed it’.
Kevin Clancy called him over for a Review, soon afterwards Celtic had a penalty with Longelo sent off. Tomas Cvancara scored to put Celtic in front.
Finally in stoppage time in Matchday 37 Tony Ralston took a throw-in against Motherwell.
After elbowing Auston Trusty in the face Nicholson raised his hand to help guide a header to safety. His hand was between his forehead and the ball. Beaton awarded a throw-in to Motherwell.
With play paused due to the injury to Trusty a VAR check was carried out. Andrew Dallas was forced to call Beaton over, there was no option but to award a penalty. Kelechi Iheanacho scored to keep Celtic a point behind Hearts going into the final match of the season.
That night someone leaked Beaton’s personal contact details online.
Soon after the pictures were taken Beaton is believed to have been throwing up violently into a bin.
John Beaton Loyal CSC pic.twitter.com/4zZpGQmrn7
— Grand Auld Team (@GrandAuldTeam_) June 13, 2026
Brother John Patrick Aloysius Beaton might find his reception down the lodge a bit frosty when he gets home….
I haven’t bothered to tune into the World Cup this time. Too much of a circus for me. Great pics/fun. I notice Beaton is drinking bottles nowadays. He must be getting ‘depth charges’ in his local bar since the season ended!!!
Look up “Johnny Price referee” to see how GAA fans deal with MIBs. Been happening for years. It’s almost a tradition in Co. Wicklow. By the way, the tickets for the Katie Taylor fight in Croke Park later this year sold out in minutes.
Cheapest ticket £125; Dearest ticket £1,500+ for a ringside seat.
One person is absolutely barred from the event, even if he turns up with the dearest ticket….. Conor McGregor. Too much of a messer these days. I guess John Beaton could be in the same boat in his local bar.
Have a great day everyone.
That’s the only way our rotten referees can get to a World Cup these days.
You’d think he would/should be embarrassed…?
Ach well VAR ensured that Hearts were fairly ‘Beaten’ !
Beaton and his 2 hun pals in Boston? Do they like Tim company in Irish bars?
For Tims it’s a gift made for Paradise. Transferring the words from the butcher’s apron that used to be seen at the hundome to a tricolour is typical Celtic wit, verbatim and brilliant!
If only we had a few Tims on the board…….. TAL.
For Those Who Are About to Rock We Salute You
With the bad decisions Beaton makes he should be signing on the brew, not not drinking it at a Boston Tea Party. While he’s there, he could go on a sightseeing tour and visit the Super Bowl after all it was Beaton & Co who are partially responsible for it to be awarded to Tavernier for the record number of penalties he was given. Beaton is usually greeted by Celtic supporters with a different finger salute, but given we’ve sent a 56-gun salute to our opponents there is a temporary ceasefire with the MiB at the moment. Hostilities will resume at the start of the season that’s for sure.
John Beaton didn’t help with the Pilgrim’s Progress having an early Bloom-er trying to board the Mayflower first, but a late dahlia-er caused dis-Asters when the budding orange hues faded in the heat and the maroons lost their colours when a disgusting Del-Fini-numb got the runner beans and went potty because he wooden handle the Green bottle and threw in the trowel, looking a right tool. The Hibiscus got well watered by their neighbours teardrops who were left high and dry.