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Derek McInnes: Rangers manager handed four-match touchline ban for criticism of match officials while in charge at Hearts

McInnes has been punished by the SFA for comments he made as Hearts head coach; Rangers will appeal the sanction imposed; he will miss his first competitive game as Rangers boss at Dundee United on July 31, live on Sky Sports

Derek McInnes has been banned from the touchline for his first three domestic games as Rangers manager for his criticism of match officials.

He has been given a four-match ban, one suspended, for remarks made in the wake of Motherwell's late defeat by Celtic in the penultimate fixture of last season when he was Hearts head coach.

Rangers are set to appeal the sanction imposed.

McInnes criticised the penalty decision which led to Celtic's match-winner with the last kick of the game. Hearts were in a closely-contested Scottish Premiership title race with Celtic at the time, which they eventually lost on the final day of the season at their title rivals.

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A look back at McInnes' interview which has resulted in his ban

He described referee John Beaton's decision to award a penalty for handball against Sam Nicholson - on the advice of video assistant Andrew Dallas - as "actually quite disgusting".

He added: "I shouldn't be commenting on another game, but having seen that, it feels like us against everybody."

A Rangers statement read: "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."

The decision means the 55-year-old will be in the stands for Rangers' season opener at Dundee United on July 31, live on Sky Sports.

He will also not be in the dugout for their Premiership game against Hibernian at Ibrox and their League Cup second-round tie on the weekend of August 15/16.

The fourth match suspension will only be implemented if he breaches the same rule again before the end of the new season.

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VAR awarded Celtic a penalty in the dying seconds of the game as the ball appeared to hit Motherwell's Sam Nicholson hand after a throw-in, which Kelechi Iheanacho made no mistake in converting from the spot

It comes a week after former Motherwell player Elliot Watt was handed a four-match ban by the Scottish FA for describing Celtic's penalty as the "worst VAR decision in history" on social media.

The Fir Park side were fined £5,000 after their own social media post following that game.

They were also both charged with breaching disciplinary rule 72, which forbids criticism that indicates "bias or incompetence" on match officials or impinges on their characters.

Rangers statement in full: 'Managers must be able to speak honestly'

"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."

McInnes unhappy with penalty that set up 'winner-take-all clash'

Sky Sports News' Luke Shanley:

“This relates to disciplinary rule 72 which states that no head coach should criticise a referee’s performance.

“You go back to the second last game of the season and Hearts won 3-0 against Falkirk at Tynecastle Park which put Hearts on the cusp of winning the Scottish Premiership. Celtic were playing the same time at Motherwell and get a late penalty for handball. Referee John Beaton was sent to the monitor and the handball was given after a review. Celtic win the game and it sets up a winner-take-all clash on the final day.

“Derek McInnes wasn’t happy with the decision in the other game going on at the same time. That was when the notice of complaint was issued by the Scottish FA. Now, he’s been found in breach.”

Rangers' opening 2026/27 Scottish Premiership fixtures

July

31: Dundee United (a) - 8pm, live on Sky Sports

August

9: Hibernian (h) - 4pm

22: St Mirren (h) - 3pm

29: Aberdeen (a) - 3pm

September

2: Falkirk (a) - 7.45pm

5: Motherwell (h) - 3pm

20: Celtic (a) - 12pm, live on Sky Sports

Click here for all of Rangers' Premiership fixtures.