Rangers manager Derek McInnes has been handed a four-match touchline ban after comments he made about Celtic’s dramatic victory over Motherwell at the end of last season.
The Scottish FA has ruled on remarks McInnes made while he was Hearts manager following the controversial penalty that secured Celtic a crucial 3-2 win in the title race.
The punishment means McInnes will be absent from the touchline for his first competitive match in charge of Rangers when they travel to Dundee United next Friday night.
He will also miss league fixtures against Hibernian and St Mirren. He has a further game suspended ban.
The controversy stemmed from Celtic’s late winner at Fir Park, when Kelechi Iheanacho converted a penalty with the last kick of the match.
Referee John Beaton awarded the spot-kick following a VAR review after Sam Nicholson was adjudged to have handled the ball during an aerial challenge with Auston Trusty.
Reacting to the decision after the match, McInnes was highly critical of the officials.
He said:
“When you heard Celtic got a 96th minute penalty that was going to VAR and they were checking it, you just assume what’s happened is they get the penalty.
“Having seen it again, it’s disgusting. It is.
“I don’t think it’s a penalty kick. But we’re up against it. We’re up against everybody.”
Those comments prompted disciplinary action from the Scottish FA.
The governing body has now confirmed McInnes has received a four-match touchline suspension.
Three matches will be served immediately, while the fourth has been suspended until the end of the season.
As a result, the Rangers boss will begin his Ibrox reign watching from the stands rather than the dugout.
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