Rangers boss Derek McInnes is set to begin the season in the stands after being hit with a four-match ban for his comments on Celtic’s controversial penalty at Motherwell last season.
The then-Hearts boss described the VAR decision to give Celtic a stoppage-time spot-kick – which proved crucial in the Scottish Premiership title race – as “disgusting”.
And on Wednesday the Scottish Football Association announced McInnes would receive a four-match ban, with one suspended until the end of the season.
McInnes watched the Jambos beat Falkirk 3-0 in the penultimate game of the Premiership season, which meant the Gorgie outfit would have had to avoid a three-goal defeat at Parkhead on the final day to win the title for the first time since 1960.
However, that scenario changed later that night when Celtic were awarded a penalty by referee John Beaton – after an interjection by VAR Andrew Dallas – deep into added time at Fir Park.
Kelechi Iheanacho scored to secure a 3-2 win that meant Martin O’Neill’s side needed any victory at all on the final day to keep the title in the east end of Glasgow for the fifth successive time, which the Hoops clinched with another late winner.
Asked for his view of the penalty decision after beating the Bairns, McInnes described it as “disgusting” and he was charged with breaking rule 72 of the SFA disciplinary guidelines and issued with an official Notice of Complaint.
A hearing at Hampden on Wednesday found the charge proven and McInnes was given a four-match suspension, with one match suspended until the end of 2026-27.
Rangers begin their league season with an away game against Dundee United on Friday week.
The suspension would see McInnes banned from the touchline for that game as well as home matches against Hibernian and St Mirren.
Rangers have confirmed they will be appealing against the ban.
A club statement read: “We do not believe Derek’s view on a match-defining decision amounted to an attack on the competence or integrity of match officials.
“His comments were directed at the decision, rather than representing any broader criticism of officials. Considered fairly and in context, Derek’s comments did not allege bias, incompetence or dishonesty.
“His concerns were widely shared by other commentators across the UK. The Scottish FA’s independent Key Match Incident Panel subsequently concluded that the referee’s original decision was correct and that VAR should not have intervened.
“Similar language has previously been used in Scottish football by others with lesser disciplinary action or without any action at all, raising legitimate questions about consistency, precedent and the application of the rules.
“Although the comments pre-dated Derek’s appointment, the club believes the issue at stake is important and must be challenged.
“Respect for officials and legitimate scrutiny are not competing principles.
“Managers, players and clubs must be able to speak honestly about major decisions if Scottish football is serious about raising standards and maintaining trust.
“Scrutiny, transparency and accountability should be seen as part of improving standards, not as a threat to them.”
Then-Motherwell midfielder Elliot Watt received a four-match suspension after using his X account to describe the same incident as “the worst VAR decision in history”.
Watt, now at Turkish club Samsunspor, was charged with breaching the Scottish FA’s disciplinary rule 72, which says players should not “criticise” decisions made by officials or make comments that “impinge” on the character of a referee.
