Derek McInnes saw his initial four‑match touchline suspension trimmed after Rangers lodged an appeal with the Scottish Football Association. The original sanction, imposed on the 55‑year‑old manager, required him to miss three games straight away, but the appeal has altered the terms. While the overall ban remains on the books, only two of those matches will now be served immediately. The remaining two fixtures will only be activated if McInnes breaches disciplinary rule 72 again before the season concludes.
Rule 72, which the Scottish FA cites, covers conduct such as publicly criticizing match officials in a manner that suggests bias, incompetence, or attacks the officials' character. The rule was invoked after McInnes, formerly the head coach of Hearts, called a late penalty awarded to Celtic against Motherwell in May "disgusting".
That comment sparked a chain of disciplinary actions, including a four‑match ban for former Motherwell player Elliot Watt, who described the same decision as the "worst VAR decision in history". With the revised ban, McInnes will be back on the bench for Rangers' upcoming league trip to Falkirk on Wednesday, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. He will then be present in the stands for the Saturday fixture at Ibrox against Motherwell.
After those two games, McInnes is slated to return to the touchline for Rangers' league encounter with St Mirren the following Wednesday. The schedule continues with the high‑profile Old Firm clashes: a League Cup tie at Celtic on September 13 and a Premiership showdown at Celtic Park a week later, both slated for live Sky Sports coverage. The reduction in his suspension offers a small reprieve in what has been a challenging start to McInnes' tenure at Rangers. The club’s European campaign has already ended in disappointment, with early exits from both the Europa League and the Conference League.
Domestically, the only Premiership win under his leadership came against Aberdeen on a Sunday, leaving Rangers five points adrift of Celtic after three league games. The background to the controversy dates back to May, when McInnes was still managing Hearts.
In the penultimate league match of the season, Hearts beat Falkirk and were poised to overtake Celtic, who were then playing Motherwell at Fir Park. A late VAR check identified a handball by Motherwell defender Sam Nicholson, prompting a penalty for Celtic in added time.
McInnes branded the decision "disgusting", a sentiment echoed by many fans and pundits who felt the call was harsh given the timing and circumstances. Celtic converted the spot‑kick, securing a win that narrowed the gap to a single point.
On the final day, Celtic defeated Hearts, denying the Edinburgh side a first top‑flight title in 66 years. The Scottish FA took a strict view of McInnes' remarks, interpreting them as a direct attack on the integrity of the match officials and the VAR process.
The four‑match ban for Elliot Watt, imposed for a similar comment, underscores the governing body's zero‑tolerance policy toward language that could undermine confidence in officiating. In addition to the bans, the Fir Park club was fined £5,000 for a social‑media post that referenced the controversial penalty. Looking ahead, McInnes will need to steer Rangers through a congested fixture list while avoiding any further breaches of disciplinary rule 72.
The manager's ability to manage emotions and communicate criticism in a measured way will be under scrutiny, especially as the team seeks to close the points gap on Celtic and re‑establish itself as a contender in both domestic and European competitions. Fans can continue to follow the Scottish Premiership live on Sky Sports or stream matches via NOW, which offers a convenient way to keep up with Rangers' progress.
The club's recent form, combined with the reduced ban, provides a modest boost, but the season remains a long one, and every point will be vital in the race for the title and European qualification.