Rangers to contest SFA sanction
Rangers will appeal the four-match touchline ban imposed on manager Derek McInnes by the Scottish FA. The sanction relates to comments McInnes made last season regarding a penalty decision. The club believes McInnes’s remarks were directed at the specific decision rather than being a broader criticism of officials.
The comments in question were made by McInnes, then manager of Hearts, at the end of last season. He described a late penalty awarded to Celtic against Motherwell in May as “disgusting.” This penalty contributed to Celtic’s 3-2 victory at Fir Park on 13 May.
The Scottish FA‘s independent Key Match Incident Panel later concluded that the referee’s initial decision was correct and that VAR should not have intervened. Despite this, Rangers argue that McInnes’s concerns were widely shared by other commentators across the UK.
Details of the ban and club’s argument
The ban issued to McInnes includes an immediate three-game suspension, with an additional match suspended. This means McInnes is expected to be in the stands for Rangers’ opening Scottish Premiership match away to Dundee United on 31 July. The suspension would also apply to the subsequent league game at home to Hibernian and a League Cup tie on the weekend of 15/16 August.
However, the ban does not extend to the Europa League qualifier against Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok. Rangers highlighted that similar language has been used in Scottish football previously, resulting in lesser or no disciplinary action, which raises questions about consistency and the application of rules.
The club’s statement emphasised that respect for officials and legitimate scrutiny are not conflicting principles. They assert that managers, players, and clubs should be able to speak honestly about major decisions if the sport aims to improve standards and maintain trust. They view scrutiny, transparency, and accountability as integral to enhancing standards, not as a threat.
Context of the controversial decision
The penalty incident occurred deep into added time at Fir Park, following an intervention by VAR Andrew Dallas. Referee John Beaton awarded the spot-kick for handball. SFA head of referees Willie Collum supported the decision, citing “clear evidence” of Sam Nicholson‘s hand and arm being in an “unnatural position,” leading to a “punishable handball.”
Following the match, referee Beaton’s contact details were posted online, prompting police surveillance of his home and a charge against a teenager for a data protection offence. Other individuals and clubs have also faced sanctions related to comments on the incident.
Former Motherwell midfielder Elliott Watt received a four-match suspension for describing the incident on social media as “the worst VAR decision in history.” Watt, who has since joined Turkish club Samsunspor, was charged under Scottish FA disciplinary rule 72. Motherwell itself was fined £5,000 for releasing a video with a caption critical of the situation.
The Scottish FA compliance officer issued complaints under disciplinary rule 72, which prohibits criticism of officials’ decisions that indicate bias or incompetence, or remarks that impinge on an official’s character. The hearing at Hampden found the charge against McInnes proven.
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Source: rangers.co.uk
As NewsGB.org's Sports News Writer, Theo Marsden reports on rugby union, golf and boxing for readers across the country. He began on a regional sports desk in Yorkshire. He holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Hull and completed an NCTJ diploma. Theo lives in Hull, where he follows the European Tour and amateur rugby. “Sport moves fast; readers deserve it right the first time.”