Derek McInnes saw his immediate suspension from the touchline cut short after Rangers lodged an appeal with the Scottish Football Association. The 55‑year‑old manager had originally been handed a four‑match ban, three of which were to be served straight away. While the overall sanction remains in force, the revised ruling means he will now sit out only two games immediately, with the remaining two matches deferred and only activated if he commits another breach of disciplinary rule 72 before the season concludes.
Rule 72 of the SFA’s code states that a person must not (i) criticize the decisions or performances of any match official in a manner that suggests bias or incompetence, or (ii) make personal remarks that impugn the character of a referee or other official. McInnes’s comment fell squarely within this prohibited conduct, as he called a penalty awarded to Celtic against Motherwell in May "disgusting".
The first fixture McInnes will be able to attend as a spectator is the Wednesday trip to Falkirk, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. He will then be back in the dug‑out for Rangers’ home clash with Motherwell at Ibrox on Saturday. After that, the manager is set to return to the touchline for the league encounter with St Mirren the following Wednesday.
The schedule continues with the highly anticipated Old Firm double‑header: a League Cup tie at Celtic on 13 September, followed a week later by a Premiership showdown at Celtic Park, both events slated for live Sky Sports coverage. McInnes’s tenure at Rangers has been anything but smooth. The club’s European campaign collapsed after successive eliminations in the Europa League and the Conference League, leaving the side without any continental competition this season.
Domestically, his first Premiership victory came only recently, a narrow win over Aberdeen that lifted Rangers to five points behind Celtic after three league games. To understand the context of the controversial penalty, it helps to revisit the events of May 2023.
At that time, McInnes was still the manager of Hearts. His side had just beaten Falkirk in their second‑to‑last league match, while Celtic were holding a slender lead at Motherwell. The results meant Hearts were poised to finish three points clear at the top of the table, with a superior goal difference, provided they avoided a heavy defeat in the final game at Parkhead. In stoppage time, however, VAR intervened after a handball by Motherwell midfielder Sam Nicholson was detected.
The referee awarded a late spot‑kick, which Celtic converted to secure a win for Martin O’Neill’s side and narrow the gap to a single point. McInnes described the VAR‑initiated decision as "disgusting" in the post‑match interview, a remark that sparked a wave of criticism and ultimately led to his disciplinary sanction. Celtic went on to win the league title on the final day, denying Hearts their first top‑flight crown in 66 years. The fallout extended beyond McInnes.
Former Motherwell player Elliot Watt received a four‑match ban from the SFA after he labelled the same penalty the "worst VAR decision in history" on social media. Motherwell themselves were fined £5,000 for a related post on their official accounts. Looking ahead, Rangers will have to navigate the remainder of the season with McInnes back on the bench after serving his reduced suspension. The manager will need to steady a squad that has struggled to find consistency in both domestic and European competitions.
The upcoming fixtures against Falkirk, Motherwell, St Mirren, and the Old Firm rivals present a crucial test of his tactical acumen and his ability to keep the team focused despite the controversy surrounding his ban. For fans eager to follow the action, the Scottish Premiership is available for streaming on NOW and can be watched live on Sky Sports. The league’s broadcast schedule promises a steady stream of high‑stakes matches, with Rangers featuring prominently as they chase a top‑four finish and aim to close the gap on league leaders Celtic. In summary, Derek McInnes’s touchline ban has been partially lifted following a successful appeal by Rangers, reducing his immediate absence to two matches.
The decision underscores the SFA’s strict stance on comments that question referee integrity, while also highlighting the fine line managers walk when expressing frustration over contentious officiating decisions. As the season unfolds, McInnes will be keen to put the incident behind him and focus on delivering results for a Rangers side eager to restore its standing both at home and in European competition.