McInnes starts at Rangers already suspended: four-game ban for criticizing a Celtic penalty
Derek McInnes had barely taken charge of Rangers and already faces a punishment that will keep him off the touchline in the very first games of the season. The Scottish Football Association (SFA) confirmed on Wednesday a four-match ban for the manager — one of them suspended until the end of the 2026-27 season — over comments he made while still in charge of Hearts about a controversial Celtic penalty in the closing stretch of last season.
What McInnes said — and why it cost him dearly
The row began in the final minutes of a match between Celtic and Motherwell at Fir Park. Referee John Beaton, after intervention from VAR Andrew Dallas, awarded Celtic a penalty deep in stoppage time. Kelechi Iheanacho converted, made it 3-2 and pushed the title decision to the final round — favoring the Glasgow side.
McInnes, who had just seen Hearts beat Falkirk 3-0 that same night, was asked about the incident. He described the VAR decision as “disgusting.” The word was enough for the SFA to open disciplinary proceedings for breaching rule 72 of the regulations, which forbids players and coaches from criticizing officiating or questioning referees’ integrity.
The hearing at Hampden found the charge proven. The result: three matches of suspension effective immediately and one more suspended.
Dugout debut postponed — and the calendar shows no mercy
Rangers open the Scottish Premiership with a trip to Dundee United next Friday. McInnes will not be on the touchline. The punishment also keeps him away from the home fixtures against Hibernian and St Mirren. Three matches right off the bat, without the manager where he should be. It’s a turbulent entrance for someone who arrived at Ibrox with the mission of pressuring Celtic — who, not by chance, claimed another title on that final round with yet another late goal.
Not the only one punished for the same play
McInnes’ case is not isolated. Elliot Watt, then a Motherwell player, received a four-game ban after calling the decision “the worst VAR call in football history” on his X account. Watt, now at Samsunspor in Turkey, was charged under the same rule 72. The SFA left a clear message: regardless of position or club, publicly criticizing officiating has a cost — and the price tends to be the same for everyone.
