Overview
- The Scottish Football Association found Derek McInnes guilty under disciplinary rule 72 on Wednesday for calling a late VAR‑recommended penalty that helped Celtic 'disgusting' while he was Hearts manager.
- Rule 72 forbids public comments that suggest bias or incompetence by match officials or that impinge on an official's character, and the SFA hearing imposed a four‑match touchline ban with one match suspended.
- The ban will keep McInnes out of Rangers' dugout for their first three domestic fixtures but does not bar him from Europa League touchline duties for the club's qualifying match in Poland.
- Rangers announced they will appeal the sanction, arguing McInnes criticised a decision not officials' integrity and saying comparable past remarks drew lighter punishment, which they say raises consistency concerns.
- The case sits alongside wider fallout from the Fir Park incident, including a similar four‑match ban for Elliott Watt, a £5,000 fine for Motherwell, public backing of the penalty by SFA referees chief Willie Collum, and online abuse of match officials.