Rangers manager Derek McInnes handed four-match ban for 'disgusting' Celtic penalty remark

Published Jul 22, 04:13 PM UTC

Rangers manager Derek McInnes has been handed a four-game touchline ban, with one game suspended, by the Scottish FA for describing a late penalty awarded to Celtic as 'disgusting'. The comments were made at the end of last season when McInnes was in charge of Hearts, following a stoppage-time spot-kick given for handball against Motherwell, which Celtic converted to win 2-1. That victory kept Celtic one point behind Hearts, whom they later beat to the title. McInnes criticized the decision in a post-match interview, saying 'we're up against everybody'. The SFA's compliance officer issued complaints under disciplinary rule 72, which prohibits criticism of match officials indicating bias or incompetence. The suspended ban applies if McInnes breaches the rule again before the end of the 2026-27 season. Motherwell and former midfielder Elliott Watt have also been sanctioned over related social media posts.