Derek McInnes saw his immediate touchline suspension 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, with three of those matches to be served straight away.
The appeal succeeded in trimming the immediate portion of the punishment: McInnes will now miss only two games right away, while the remaining two matches will only be activated if he again breaches disciplinary rule 72 before the close of the season. Rule 72 of the SFA code states that a person may be penalised for (i) criticising the decisions or performance of any match official in a manner that suggests bias or incompetence, or (ii) making remarks that impinge on the character of the official.
McInnes’ comment fell squarely within this provision. The controversy began when the former Hearts manager labelled a penalty awarded to Celtic against Motherwell in May as "disgusting". The penalty came after a VAR review for a handball by Motherwell defender Sam Nicholson in stoppage time at Fir Park.
The spot‑kick was converted, securing a win for Martin O'Neill’s Celtic and narrowing the gap between the two title‑challengers to a single point. That remark sparked a chain reaction of disciplinary action. In addition to McInnes’ own sanction, former Motherwell player Elliot Watt received a four‑match ban for describing the same decision as "the worst VAR decision in history". Motherwell themselves were fined £5,000 after posting a critical statement on their official social media channels.
Under the revised terms, McInnes will sit on the bench for Rangers' upcoming fixtures at Falkirk on Wednesday – a game that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports – and then for the league encounter with Motherwell at Ibrox on Saturday. After serving those two matches, he will be eligible to return to the touchline for the club’s next Premiership clash against St Mirren the following Wednesday.
The schedule then accelerates into a high‑profile Old Firm double‑header. Rangers will meet Celtic in the Scottish League Cup on 13 September, followed a week later by a Premiership showdown at Celtic Park, both of which will also be shown on Sky Sports. McInnes’ tenure at Rangers has been anything but smooth. The club’s European campaign collapsed early, with exits from both the Europa League and the Conference League.
Domestically, his first Premiership victory arrived only on the weekend of the Aberdeen win, leaving Rangers five points adrift of Celtic after three league games. To understand the background, it helps to revisit the events of May when McInnes was still in charge of Hearts. At that stage, Hearts were chasing a historic title – their first top‑flight crown in 66 years – and were sitting three points clear of Celtic with a superior goal difference after beating Falkirk in their penultimate match. A draw or narrow loss at Celtic Park on the final day would have been enough to clinch the championship.
However, the drama unfolded in added time at Fir Park. VAR intervened to award Celtic a penalty for a handball by Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson.
The spot‑kick was calmly slotted home, handing Celtic a 2‑1 victory and reducing the gap to just one point. Hearts ultimately lost their final game, allowing Celtic to overtake them and claim the title. McInnes’ description of the decision as "disgusting" reflected his frustration with what he perceived as an unjust use of technology, but the SFA deemed the comment a breach of the code of conduct.
The reduction of his ban after the appeal demonstrates the governing body’s willingness to consider mitigating factors, yet it also reinforces the principle that public criticism of officials must remain within the bounds of respectful discourse. For Rangers supporters, the revised sanction means the manager will be back on the sidelines sooner than originally planned, giving him a chance to influence the team’s performance during a crucial period of the season. The upcoming fixtures against Falkirk, Motherwell, St Mirren, and the Old Firm rivals will test his tactical acumen and his ability to rally a squad that has struggled to find consistency.
The broader context of the incident highlights ongoing debates about VAR’s role in Scottish football. Critics argue that the technology can disrupt the flow of the game and lead to contentious decisions, while proponents maintain that it enhances fairness by correcting clear errors. McInnes’ outspoken reaction is emblematic of the tension between traditionalist views of the sport and the modern, data‑driven approach to officiating.
In summary, Derek McInnes’ touchline ban has been partially lifted after a successful appeal, reducing his immediate suspension to two games. The original four‑match ban remains in place, with the final two matches contingent on any further breaches of rule 72. The incident originated from his "disgusting" comment on a late VAR‑awarded penalty in a title‑deciding match between Celtic and Motherwell, a decision that not only altered the outcome of that game but also sparked a wider discussion about the use of technology in football.
Rangers now look ahead to a packed schedule that will determine whether McInnes can steer the club back into contention in both domestic and cup competitions.