Derek McInnes: Rangers manager's touchline ban changed after appeal over 'disgusting' comment last season
Rangers appealed the four-match ban handed to Derek McInnes; former Hearts boss described the awarding of a penalty to Celtic at Motherwell as "disgusting"; McInnes will now serve an immediate two-match touchline ban instead of three after appeal hearing
Monday 31 August 2026 19:02, UK
Derek McInnes' immediate touchline ban has been reduced following Rangers' appeal.
The 55-year-old was initially handed a four-match suspension by the Scottish FA, with three of those games to be served immediately.
While the overall ban remains in place, he will now only serve two of those with immediate effect, while the other two will only be triggered should he breach disciplinary rule 72 again before the end of this season.
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It's after the former Hearts boss described the penalty awarded to Celtic against Motherwell's last May as "disgusting".
The first game McInnes will be in the stands for is Wednesday's trip to Falkirk, live on Sky Sports, followed by their game at Ibrox against Motherwell on Saturday.
It means McInnes will return to the touchline for their league match against St Mirren next Wednesday.
Following that is their Old Firm double-header as Celtic visit in the League Cup on September 13, before a trip to Celtic Park in the Premiership a week later - live on Sky Sports.
McInnes has endured a tough start to life as Rangers manager, with his side knocked out of Europe completely after Europa League and then Conference League defeats.
Domestically, Sunday's win at Aberdeen was his first in the Premiership, with the club five points behind Celtic after three games.
What was the ban for?
In May, then Hearts head coach McInnes saw his side beat Falkirk in their penultimate league match. Meanwhile, Celtic were being held at Motherwell, meaning Hearts were set to go three points clear at the top and had a better goal difference over Celtic. That meant Hearts would be crowned champions if they avoided a heavy defeat at Parkhead on the final day.
However, in added time, Celtic were awarded a late penalty at Fir Park following a VAR check for a handball by Motherwell's Sam Nicholson. That was converted to seal victory for Martin O'Neill's side, and leave the gap between the sides at just one point.
McInnes said the decision to issue the spot-kick was "disgusting". Celtic then went on to beat Hearts on the final day, denying them a first top-flight title in 66 years.
Former Motherwell player Elliot Watt was handed a four-match ban by the SFA for describing that penalty award as the "worst VAR decision in history".
The Fir Park side were also fined £5,000 after their own social media post following that match.
