Derek McInnes has responded after being issued a four-match ban from the Scottish FA.
The Rangers manager will serve an immediate three-match suspension, with the fourth match suspended for the 2026/27 season unless there is another breach.
However, Rangers have announced they will appeal the sanction, which was confirmed after a hearing on Wednesday.
McInnes was punished over comments he made when he was Hearts manager, as he branded a penalty award "disgusting" when discussing Celtic's late win over Motherwell last season.
Quizzed on the ban after Rangers' 2-1 win over St-Etienne, McInnes said: "I had my hearing this afternoon, and I was pleased to put my points across, but I don't agree with it and the club don't agree with it and I am glad we are going to appeal against that.
"With it being an appeal process, I am reluctant to say any more on that."
Asked about the importance of managers being able to say what they think without fear of bans, he added: "I have been a manager for 19 years now and part of my job is you know you are going to be asked on contentious decisions and all the rest of it.
"But I have never wanted to make it personal. For me, the decision was wrong and I feel as though I made my points I made my points at the appeal today.
"I do think in general, broadcasters pay a lot of money to hear managers' reactions, and we have got to be careful we don't have managers and players who feel they have to be really sure of themselves and check themselves before they answer a question.
"At no point was I wanting to inflame a situation; the situation was already getting discussed before I did my press.
"It was quite a big moment in the season and there was a lot of emotion, but I felt as if what I said was controlled and that is what the appeal process will discuss and consider."
A Rangers club statement read: "Rangers will appeal the sanction imposed on Derek McInnes by the Scottish FA for comments made last season.
"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."
In May, after Celtic were awarded a contentious penalty against Motherwell at Fir Park, then-Heart of Midlothian boss McInnes expressed his views, labelling the VAR decision as “disgusting”.
The 55-year-old told Sky Sports, “When you heard Celtic got a 96th-minute penalty that was going to VAR and they were checking it, you just assume what's happened is they get the penalty.
"Having seen it again, it's disgusting. It is. I don't think it's a penalty kick.
"But we're up against it. We're up against everybody."
