Kettlewell under fire for his statement about Celtic and SPFL After the 4:0 defeat, at Celtic park – it’s terrible

Kilmarnock head coach Stuart Kettlewell is facing mounting criticism after accusing match officials of “bending the law” to favour Celtic, following his side’s 4–0 defeat at Celtic Park on Saturday, 9 November.

The result itself was comprehensive. Celtic stormed to victory through goals from J. Kenny (10’), K. Tierney (51’), D. Maeda (85’), and A. Engels (90+3’ Penalty), tightening their grip on the top of the Scottish Premiership. But the headlines were quickly dominated by Kettlewell’s furious post-match comments, in which he questioned the integrity of the officiating team and claimed smaller clubs like his were being treated unfairly.

“The Laws Get Bent When It’s Celtic”

In a fiery press conference immediately after the match, Kettlewell accused the referee and his assistants of showing bias toward the home side, describing the officiating as “one-sided from start to finish.”

“We’ve all seen what happens when you come to this ground,” he said. “The laws get bent when it’s Celtic. Simple as that. We play by one rulebook; they play by another. Every big decision goes their way, every challenge gets looked at differently, and we’re left chasing shadows not just on the pitch, but in the referee’s head.”

Kettlewell went on to cite several moments he felt went against his side, including the build-up to the opening goal and the late penalty awarded to Celtic. He claimed that Kilmarnock players were “penalised for breathing too hard” while Celtic were allowed “to push the limits without consequence.”

“I’ve got lads in that dressing room who feel helpless,” he continued. “You can accept losing to a better team, but not when the officials tilt the balance. It’s not the first time, and it won’t be the last.”

Celtic’s Comfortable Win Overshadowed

Despite the controversy, Celtic’s dominance on the pitch was never in doubt. J. Kenny opened the scoring after just ten minutes, calmly finishing from close range after sustained pressure. The home side doubled their advantage early in the second half when K. Tierney fired in a powerful low shot from the edge of the box.

Kilmarnock fought to contain the hosts but struggled to maintain possession. In the closing minutes, D. Maeda added a third, capitalising on defensive fatigue, before A. Engels converted a stoppage-time penalty to complete the rout.

For Celtic, it was another assured display in front of a raucous home crowd. For Kilmarnock, it was a night of frustration that boiled over once the whistle blew.

SPFL Statement and Potential Sanctions

The SPFL moved swiftly to respond to Kettlewell’s remarks on Sunday morning, issuing a firm statement defending the professionalism of its match officials.

“The SPFL has full confidence in the integrity of its referees and match officials,” the statement read. “All decisions are made in real time and are subject to review. Any suggestion that referees deliberately favour a particular club is entirely without foundation.”

League sources have confirmed that Kettlewell’s comments are now under review and could lead to disciplinary action for “bringing the game into disrepute.” If found guilty, the Kilmarnock boss could face a fine or a touchline suspension.

Mixed Reaction From Fans and Pundits

Kilmarnock supporters were divided in their reaction. Some backed Kettlewell, applauding him for “saying what other managers are too scared to say.”

“He’s only telling the truth,” wrote one fan online. “Every time we play one of the Glasgow clubs, the officiating is different. It’s about time someone called it out.”

Others, however, argued that his comments were an attempt to deflect from a poor team performance.

“We were second best all day,” another supporter posted. “Blaming referees won’t fix our defending or our lack of cutting edge. That’s on us.”

Football pundits have also weighed in, with many warning that Kettlewell’s accusations could cross a dangerous line. Former referee analysts described his remarks as “reckless” and “damaging to the game’s integrity.”

Martin Stays Above the Fray

Celtic manager martin O’Neill avoided being drawn into the controversy when asked about Kettlewell’s comments.

“We just focus on our football,” he said. “We prepare the same way every week, whoever we face. The players earned that win through hard work and consistency. There’s no bending of laws just good football.”

Pressure Mounting on Kettlewell

The loss extends Kilmarnock’s winless run to five matches, leaving them hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone. With an important home fixture against St. Mirren next weekend, Kettlewell’s position is under increasing scrutiny.

While his comments may resonate with frustrated fans of smaller clubs, they have also placed him squarely in the SPFL’s spotlight. What began as a disappointing night at Celtic Park has now become a full-blown disciplinary issue one that could define Kettlewell’s tenure at Rugby Park.

Whether he stands by his words or is forced to backtrack, one thing is certain: his accusation that officials “bent the law” for Celtic has ensured this defeat will be remembered for far more than the scoreline.