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Rangers boss Derek McInnes appeals four-match touchline ban
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Derek McInnes, now Rangers manager, is appealing a four-match touchline ban imposed by the Scottish FA for describing as 'disgusting' a late penalty awarded to Celtic against Motherwell in May 2026. The comments were made while McInnes was Hearts manager. Rangers issued a statement supporting the appeal, arguing the remarks were directed at the decision, not officials, and that similar language has previously received lesser punishment. McInnes insists he was controlled and not trying to inflame the situation. If the ban is upheld, he will miss Rangers' opening league matches and a League Cup tie. The incident also led to online abuse of referee John Beaton, with a teenager charged, and sanctions against Motherwell and former midfielder Elliott Watt.
Source report
Derek McInnes insists Rangers are right to contest the four-match touchline ban he has received for describing as "disgusting" the decision to award Celtic a late penalty at Motherwell in May.
Image caption: Derek McInnes made his home bow as Rangers boss in a friendly win over St Etienne
Updated 23 July 2026 00:04 BST
The comments, made at the end of last season when McInnes was in charge of Hearts, related to a stoppage-time spot-kick for handball that was converted by Kelechi Iheanacho.
Celtic's 3-2 victory at Fir Park on 13 May kept them one point behind Hearts, who they beat to the title a few days later in a final-day decider.
Responding to the Scottish FA penalty — an immediate three-game ban with one suspended until the end of the season — Rangers say the remarks were "directed at the decision, rather than representing any broader criticism of officials".
Following a friendly victory over St Etienne at Ibrox, McInnes added:
"I don't agree with it and the club don't agree with it. I'm glad that we're going to appeal against that.
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"I've been a manager for 19 years and you know you're going to be asked about contentious decisions and all the rest of it.
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"I've never wanted to make it personal. For me, the decision was wrong. I feel as though I made my points at the hearing.
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"Broadcasters pay a lot of money to hear managers' reactions. We've got to be careful that we don't have managers and players who have to be really sure of themselves and check themselves before answering a question.
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"At no point was I wanting to inflame a situation.
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"The situation was already being 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 though what I said was controlled."
Speaking to Sky Sports after a win against Falkirk at Tynecastle on the same night as Celtic's win at Fir Park, McInnes said:
"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.
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"Having seen it again, it's disgusting. It is. I don't think it's a penalty kick.
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"But we're up against it. We're up against everybody."
Potential Impact of the Ban
If the ban is upheld, McInnes will be in the stands as Rangers:
- Open the Scottish Premiership away to Dundee United on 31 July
- Face Hibernian at home in the following league game
- Play a League Cup tie on the weekend of 15/16 August
Rangers add that McInnes's "concerns were widely shared by other commentators across the UK" and say "similar language has previously been used in Scottish football by others with lesser disciplinary action or without any action at all."
Related Incidents
Following the late drama at Fir Park, referee John Beaton's contact details were posted online, with police keeping his home under surveillance. A teenager was later charged "in connection with a data protection offence".
SFA head of referees Willie Collum subsequently backed the call, citing "clear evidence" with Sam Nicholson's hand and arm "in an unnatural position" and the resulting contact "a punishable handball".
Motherwell and their former midfielder Elliott Watt have already been sanctioned over social media posts on the matter:
- Watt, who has since joined Turkish club Samsunspor, received a four-match suspension for describing it as "the worst VAR decision in history"
- Motherwell were fined £5,000 for releasing a video with the caption: "As the world of football mocks our game, we simply have to draw a line in the sand and shift the focus"
The Scottish FA compliance officer issued complaints to all three parties under disciplinary rule 72, stating that: "No recognised football body, club, official, team official or ot..."
Rangers' Statement
The statement from Rangers concludes:
"Respect for officials and legitimate scrutiny are not competing principles.
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"Managers, players and clubs must be able to speak honestly about major decisions if Scottish football is serious about raising standards and maintaining trust.
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"Scrutiny, transparency and accountability should be seen as part of improving standards, not as a threat to them."
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Source
BBC SportWestern
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Rangers Manager Derek McInnes Banned for Criticizing Celtic Penalty Decision