Derek McInnes saw his immediate suspension from the Rangers bench trimmed after the club 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 total length of the sanction remains unchanged, the appeal succeeded in cutting the number of matches he must miss right now from three to two. The remaining two fixtures will only be activated if he again breaches disciplinary rule 72 before the season concludes.
Rule 72 of the SFA’s code states that a manager may be penalised if he (i) publicly criticises the decisions or performance of any match official in a manner that suggests bias or incompetence, or (ii) makes personal attacks on an official that impinge on their character. McInnes’s comment fell squarely within that provision.
The controversy began when the former Hearts coach labelled a late penalty awarded to Celtic against Motherwell in May as "disgusting." The penalty, which came after a VAR check for a handball by Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson, was converted and ultimately helped Celtic clinch a narrow victory that kept the title race alive. McInnes’s description of the decision as "disgusting" prompted the SFA to act, and he was subsequently banned. Under the revised terms, McInnes will sit in the stands for Rangers’ upcoming away game at Falkirk on Wednesday, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. He will also miss the Saturday fixture at Ibrox against Motherwell.
After serving those two matches, he is expected to return to the touchline for the league encounter with St Mirren the following Wednesday. The schedule then leads to the high‑profile Old Firm double‑header: a League Cup tie at Celtic on September 13, followed a week later by a Premiership clash at Celtic Park, both of which will also be shown on Sky Sports. Rangers supporters can stream the Scottish Premiership via the NOW platform, and the league’s live coverage continues to be available on Sky Sports throughout the season. McInnes’s tenure at Rangers has been anything but smooth.
The club’s European campaign has already ended, with defeats in both the Europa League and the Conference League. Domestically, his first Premiership win came against Aberdeen, putting Rangers five points behind Celtic after three matches.
The early setbacks have placed considerable pressure on the manager as he seeks to restore the club’s fortunes. To understand the background of the penalty incident, it helps to revisit the May showdown between Hearts and Celtic. At the time, McInnes was still the Hearts boss, and his side had just beaten Falkirk in their penultimate league match. Celtic, meanwhile, were held to a draw at Motherwell, which meant Hearts were poised to lead the table by three points with a superior goal difference.
A victory at Parkhead on the final day would have secured Hearts their first top‑flight title in 66 years. However, in injury time, VAR intervened at Fir Park.
After reviewing a handball by Sam Nicholson, the referee awarded Celtic a spot‑kick. The decision sparked outrage among Hearts supporters and officials alike, and McInnes publicly called the call "disgusting." Celtic went on to convert the penalty, narrowing the gap to a single point. On the final day, Celtic defeated Hearts, denying the latter the championship.
The fallout extended beyond McInnes. Former Motherwell midfielder Elliot Watt received a four‑match ban for describing the same penalty as "the worst VAR decision in history," and Motherwell themselves were fined £5,000 for a social‑media post related to the incident.
These sanctions underscore the SFA’s strict stance on comments that question the integrity of match officials. For fans looking to engage further, the league often runs promotions such as the Super 6 competition, offering a chance to win £250,000 at no cost.
While the excitement of such contests adds a layer of entertainment, the core of the season remains the on‑field battles and the managerial narratives that shape them. In summary, Derek McInnes’s ban has been partially lifted after Rangers appealed, reducing his immediate touchline absence to two games. He will be back in the dugout for the St Mirren clash, with the possibility of further suspension only if another breach of rule 72 occurs.
The episode highlights the ongoing tension between managerial commentary and officiating standards in Scottish football, a dynamic that will continue to evolve as the season progresses.