Derek McInnes saw his immediate suspension from the touchline trimmed after Rangers lodged an appeal with the Scottish Football Association. The 55‑year‑old manager had originally been slapped with a four‑match ban, three of which were to be served straight away. While the overall penalty remains in place, the appeal succeeded in cutting the number of matches he must sit out immediately from three to two. The remaining two games of the suspension will now only be activated if McInnes 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) publicly criticise the decisions or performance 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. It was this rule that was invoked after McInnes, formerly of Hearts, called a penalty awarded to Celtic in a match against Motherwell "disgusting". The first fixture McInnes will be allowed to attend as a spectator is the Wednesday away game at Falkirk, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
He will then be present for the Saturday clash at Ibrox against Motherwell. After serving the reduced ban, McInnes is slated to return to the dugout for Rangers’ league encounter with St Mirren the following Wednesday. The calendar then packs two high‑profile Old Firm meetings: a League Cup tie at Celtic on 13 September and a Premiership showdown at Celtic Park a week later, both of which will also be shown on Sky Sports.
Rangers supporters can stream the Scottish Premiership via the NOW platform, and live coverage continues on Sky Sports throughout the season. McInnes’ tenure at Rangers has been anything but smooth.
Early on, his side suffered a double exit from European competition, first bowing out of the Europa League and then being eliminated from the Conference League. Domestically, his first league victory arrived only on Sunday when Rangers beat Aberdeen, leaving the club five points adrift of Celtic after three matches.
The controversy that sparked the ban dates back to May of the previous season, when McInnes was still in charge of Hearts. In that campaign, Hearts were on the brink of clinching the Scottish title.
They had just defeated Falkirk in their penultimate league game, while Celtic were held to a draw at Motherwell. The result meant Hearts would sit three points clear at the top and enjoy a superior goal difference, putting them in a prime position to secure the championship on the final day, provided they avoided a heavy loss at Parkhead. However, in injury time at Fir Park, a VAR review determined that Motherwell defender Sam Nicholson had handled the ball in the box.
The referee awarded a penalty to Celtic, which was calmly converted, narrowing the gap between the two clubs to a single point. McInnes publicly described the decision to award the spot‑kick as "disgusting," a comment that later attracted disciplinary action. Celtic went on to win their final match, denying Hearts a first top‑flight title in 66 years. In the aftermath, former Motherwell midfielder Elliot Watt received a four‑match ban from the SFA after he branded 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 channels. The reduction of McInnes’ ban means he will miss only two matches immediately, rather than three, before potentially returning to the dugout for the St Mirren game.
Should he breach rule 72 again before the season ends, the remaining two matches of his suspension will be enforced. Looking ahead, Rangers have a packed schedule.
After the St Mirren fixture, the club faces Celtic in the League Cup on 13 September, a match that traditionally draws massive interest and will be televised live. A week later, the Premiership showdown at Celtic Park will provide another opportunity for McInnes to test his tactics against his most storied rivals. Both games are expected to be high‑intensity affairs, with Rangers eager to close the gap on the league leaders. For fans wanting to keep up with the action, the Scottish Premiership is available for streaming on the NOW platform, and Sky Sports continues to hold the broadcasting rights for live matches, including the upcoming Old Firm clashes.
Beyond the immediate ban, McInnes must navigate the broader challenges of his role at Rangers. The club’s early exits from European competition have placed additional pressure on him to deliver domestic success. The manager’s ability to motivate his squad, adapt his tactics, and manage the media spotlight will be critical as Rangers aim to close the points deficit to Celtic and re‑establish themselves as title contenders.
In summary, the appeal by Rangers has successfully reduced Derek McInnes’ immediate touchline suspension from three matches to two, with the balance of the ban contingent on any further breaches of rule 72. The manager’s outspoken criticism of a VAR decision earlier in his career sparked the original sanction, but the appeal has afforded him a quicker return to active management. Rangers now look ahead to a series of crucial fixtures, including two Old Firm encounters, as they strive to improve their standing in the Scottish Premiership while McInnes works to steady his tenure amid intense scrutiny.