Rangers manager Derek McInnes gets four-match SFA ban

Rangers manager Derek McInnes has been handed a four-match suspension by the Scottish Football Association, a sanction his club is appealing, over comments he made last season while in charge of Heart of Midlothian. The ban, confirmed after a hearing on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, includes an immediate three-match touchline suspension, with a fourth match suspended for the 2026-27 season pending any further breach of disciplinary rules.

The punishment stems from remarks McInnes made in May following a controversial penalty awarded to Celtic deep into stoppage time against Motherwell. The then-Hearts manager described the VAR-assisted decision, which allowed Celtic to secure a late 3-2 win at Fir Park, as "disgusting." He added that "it feels like us against everybody." The result dramatically altered the title race heading into the final day, where Celtic ultimately clinched the championship.

Rangers have announced they will formally appeal the sanction. In a club statement, Rangers argued that McInnes's criticism was directed at the specific decision and did not constitute an attack on the competence or integrity of match officials. The statement questioned the SFA's consistency,...